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

[WiscTJK]

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

The team has scored three goals in four games with 2 shutouts. This alone is very alarming, especially against these opponents. I know there is going to be trouble scoring, but wow that is bad. I can't see them winning against Nodak. I initially had interest in seeing some of these freshman, the results so far aren't encouraging. I am not looking forward to 2 blowouts at the KC.

 

[Timothy A]

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

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 don't hold Navin accountable at all for the offensive woes. He's a guy with 19 career points, a 3rd/4th line guy. I hope he breaks out, but I'm not holding my breath. Can he have 20 pts this year? LaBate has 65 career points, 23, 20, 22 pts. I don't see him suddenly jumping to 40 just because....Beese and Soleway have the potential......Zulinick needs to step up bigtime, especially considering the RS year he has under his belt. He knows the system, he's got to execute it.

Eaves needs to screw the center defensive responsibility underclassman thing, stick Hughes and Rockwood at C, and sink or swim with them @ C. It can't get any worse, can it? It isn't like UW needs to protect weak goaltending with solid D play in front, let Rumps make 35 saves a game. If he stops 92% that's a gaa of 2.88. Maybe UW can score 2 to 3 goals a game with the young guys @ C instead of stymieing their creativity by playing wing and scoring less than 1 a game.

 

[oldicecoach]

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

We went to see the Badgers play NMU Friday night in Green Bay. NMU came out fast in the first period and put up 2 goals. Northern slowed their pace in the 2nd and 3rd periods and coasted in for the win. The Badgers coasted the whole game and never played with any intensity or urgency. They conceded most pucks to Northern and on two occasions I saw freshmen visibly shy away from contact. Give Northern credit, they broke up most rushes in the neutral zone before they got started.

It’s painful to watch them go thru this growing process. I’m not going to watch another game until later in the season, when they will be better.

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

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

I usually don't show up in these parts 'til around mid November or later because that's when the suicide watch is usually kicking into high gear, but it's an early fall.

This is just speculation because I haven't researched it, but I'd bet that Eaves' Badgers have one of the worst October records in college hockey over the last ten years. On the other hand I'd speculate that they are near the top post-break. Why we even schedule these early games after a couple of days practice anymore is beyond me given the way the PWR works...

Haven't seen a game, just listened to Posick for all four. (I enjoy his call but I find it difficult to get a really good picture of what's going on on the ice from them) I will say he's certainly used a whole season's quota of the word "accidentally" already. Glad to hear Shulze looked better the last game from an eye witness because I am scratching my head as to how he could be -7 already and a non factor. Kid is capable of being the best guy on the ice at any given moment and obviously we need to rely on him to play up to his potential. LaBate just seems a disaster at this early point... his 4 game line is: 0-0-0; 10 shots; -5; 6-12pim; 30-33 faceoffs. He averaged 3 shots/g on the third line last year? His passing is terrible... Hmmm... Navin is 10-1 on faceoffs... maybe Brad ought to be stepping in the circle a little more? Seems like Besse stepped it up a little over the last weekend and put some shots on net. Badgers dismal .035 shot pct. (3-86) can't continue long.

Reading between the lines, I'm glad to see there's some players among the freshman. My impression has been that Dougherty is ready out of the box and Wagner, Hughes, and Rockwood all have star potential.

I thought an interesting point last weekend was when we were down 2-0 with 20 seconds left in the 2nd and a face off in the O zone, Eaves has the fourth line take the draw. That's not an oversight I'm sure, but rather telling as to how messed up the kids were playing. These guys will play better.

 

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

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

Why we even schedule these early games after a couple of days practice anymore is beyond me given the way the PWR works...

At the risk of taking you seriously here, I'd say that it's simply because finding quality opponents when most conferences are in the swing of their conference schedule is probably fairly difficult.

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

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

At the risk of taking you seriously here, I'd say that it's simply because finding quality opponents when most conferences are in the swing of their conference schedule is probably fairly difficult.

Well, yes, I'm only semi-serious, and while I'm sure you're right, if I disregard the U-18 and a couple games against UAH (who I don't believe has ever beaten a ranked team in history ) the Badgers are a whopping 6-19-3 in their first four since '08 and a slightly better 20-27-5 since '02. I suspect in most years we'd have been mathematically better off just not playing in early or mid October.

 

[oldtyme25]

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

I don't hold Navin accountable at all for the offensive woes. He's a guy with 19 career points, a 3rd/4th line guy. I hope he breaks out, but I'm not holding my breath. Can he have 20 pts this year? LaBate has 65 career points, 23, 20, 22 pts. I don't see him suddenly jumping to 40 just because....Beese and Soleway have the potential......Zulinick needs to step up bigtime, especially considering the RS year he has under his belt. He knows the system, he's got to execute it.

Eaves needs to screw the center defensive responsibility underclassman thing, stick Hughes and Rockwood at C, and sink or swim with them @ C. It can't get any worse, can it? It isn't like UW needs to protect weak goaltending with solid D play in front, let Rumps make 35 saves a game. If he stops 92% that's a gaa of 2.88. Maybe UW can score 2 to 3 goals a game with the young guys @ C instead of stymieing their creativity by playing wing and scoring less than 1 a game.

Have to agree with you on this one....Navin is a third line power forward with limited offensive skills. Within that same context LaBate is not a top line center, he is more of a power forward who needs a creative center to play with. When you play Navin and LaBate with Besse you handicap the the best natural scorer that the Badgers have. They need to pair Besse with the most creative center they have and move the other two into roles that best suit their skill level.

 

[solovsfett]

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

Have to agree with you on this one....Navin is a third line power forward with limited offensive skills. Within that same context LaBate is not a top line center, he is more of a power forward who needs a creative center to play with. When you play Navin and LaBate with Besse you handicap the the best natural scorer that the Badgers have. They need to pair Besse with the most creative center they have and move the other two into roles that best suit their skill level.

I absolutely agree with this and further I agree with the poster below who mentioned moving Hughes and Rockwood off the wings and into center positions. To me, part of what makes one a great coach is the ability to adapt and also understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the group you've put together. Rather than perpetually trying to shove square pegs into round holes or forcing people to adapt to your system how about once in a while adapting to the talent you have and letting the horses go?

With Besse, Rockwood, Hughes, Schulze you have a core group of 3 F and 1 D who are very creative and mostly can fly. A secondary group of Zulinick, Soleway, Wagner and Dougherty who have great potential (and yes, Zulinick really needs to kick it up to another level this year). My .02 is these 8 are the guys I'd lean on to get creative, play race horse hockey and score goals. These are players who do not have to sit back and let the game come to them they can dictate the flow of the game and take it to the opponents. So let em' do it.

 

[WiscTJK]

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

I absolutely agree with this and further I agree with the poster below who mentioned moving Hughes and Rockwood off the wings and into center positions. To me, part of what makes one a great coach is the ability to adapt and also understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the group you've put together. Rather than perpetually trying to shove square pegs into round holes or forcing people to adapt to your system how about once in a while adapting to the talent you have and letting the horses go?

With Besse, Rockwood, Hughes, Schulze you have a core group of 3 F and 1 D who are very creative and mostly can fly. A secondary group of Zulinick, Soleway, Wagner and Dougherty who have great potential (and yes, Zulinick really needs to kick it up to another level this year). My .02 is these 8 are the guys I'd lean on to get creative, play race horse hockey and score goals. These are players who do not have to sit back and let the game come to them they can dictate the flow of the game and take it to the opponents. So let em' do it.

we all know that won't happen with Eaves. Like Bo, he is a system first guy.

 

[Timothy A]

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

we all know that won't happen with Eaves. Like Bo, he is a system first guy.

And that is exactly why I an officially off the Eaves bandwagon. I was holding on due to numerous factors, but last year's kinda underwhelming year, the previous year being totally underwhelming during the regular season, and this year's awful start has pushed me off the bandwagon. He recruits great creative players due to his ability to mold them into NHL players, sticks them into his system, and then we sit here and wonder why UW can't score. I believe in the players. Adam Rockwood played 3 years in the BCHL. He's not smart enough or experienced enough to understand what a C does in Eaves' system (how complicated can it be?)? Eaves is selling these kids short.

And how much responsibility do we place on Shuchuck? He's a great rah rah guy in a postgame interview, I really like the guy, but what else is he bringing to the table in the form of player development? I like the influx of Canadian players, is that Eaves, Shuchuck or both?

Is UW stilling running the 1-1-3 like Chuck diagrammed 2 years ago?

 

[WiscTJK]

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

And that is exactly why I an officially off the Eaves bandwagon. I was holding on due to numerous factors, but last year's kinda underwhelming year, the previous year being totally underwhelming during the regular season, and this year's awful start has pushed me off the bandwagon. He recruits great creative players due to his ability to mold them into NHL players, sticks them into his system, and then we sit here and wonder why UW can't score. I believe in the players. Adam Rockwood played 3 years in the BCHL. He's not smart enough or experienced enough to understand what a C does in Eaves' system (how complicated can it be?)? Eaves is selling these kids short.

And how much responsibility do we place on Shuchuck? He's a great rah rah guy in a postgame interview, I really like the guy, but what else is he bringing to the table in the form of player development? I like the influx of Canadian players, is that Eaves, Shuchuck or both?

Is UW stilling running the 1-1-3 like Chuck diagrammed 2 years ago?

You are right and both of the last two assistant coaches had zero, zilch, nada coaching experience at the college level and very little at the higher prep level. I questioned that at that time and still do.

I have been puzzled to say the least at the coaches Eaves has hired since Osiecki left.

 

[WiscDC]

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

You are right and both of the last two assistant coaches had zero, zilch, nada coaching experience at the college level and very little at the higher prep level. I questioned that at that time and still do.

I have been puzzled to say the least at the coaches Eaves has hired since Osiecki left.

I've only heard good things about Matt Walsh.

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

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

You are right and both of the last two assistant coaches had zero, zilch, nada coaching experience at the college level

As opposed to a guy like Bill Butters who had tons of college coaching experience?

Matt Walsh earned, and IMO deserved, the job after coming in as an emergency replacement when Butters bailed. As I recall Bucky was something like 1-7 at the time and went 21-6-something the rest of the way with a terrific defense... and a Broadmoor.

As for Shuey... well unless you're at practice everyday, who knows? Personally I love the guy, as does nearly everyone, but can't specifically tell you how well he translates his knowledge to the kids. But I certainly don't think it's coincidence that the Badgers have 6 roster Canadians for the first time since '10 (and before that, '06 I think...)

 

[WiscTJK]

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

As opposed to a guy like Bill Butters who had tons of college coaching experience?

Matt Walsh earned, and IMO deserved, the job after coming in as an emergency replacement when Butters bailed. As I recall Bucky was something like 1-7 at the time and went 21-6-something the rest of the way with a terrific defense... and a Broadmoor.

As for Shuey... well unless you're at practice everyday, who knows? Personally I love the guy, as does nearly everyone, but can't specifically tell you how well he translates his knowledge to the kids. But I certainly don't think it's coincidence that the Badgers have 6 roster Canadians for the first time since '10 (and before that, '06 I think...)

That's fair about Walsh and Shuchuk's recruiting.

I questioned the Butters selection too. Someone who had been away from college athletics for so long....

Where are the young up and comers that have lead USHL teams, college assistants, or ran smaller successful college programs? Osiecki, Patrick, Hynes, etc.

 

[bucky15]

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

That's fair about Walsh and Shuchuk's recruiting.

I questioned the Butters selection too. Someone who had been away from college athletics for so long....

Where are the young up and comers that have lead USHL teams, college assistants, or ran smaller successful college programs? Osiecki, Patrick, Hynes, etc.

Can not have everything. Who's to say this new up and coming coach would not just leave in a year or two. I think the coach topic is pointless. Nothing will change! Eaves is not going anywhere, the University is not going to pay for two coaches through 2019. Also, we would most likely have to begin recruiting all over again, due to most recruits backing out of their verbal to UW if Eaves was pushed out the door. The foundation for the Eaves cycle is beginning. It is just that this one could be a bit more painful in the beginning than others. They have some freshman on this roster who could turn into some good foundation pieces and high end players when the others arrive on campus. The other current freshman may be bounced out of the line up when the others arrive. These players have to see this and it is most likely motivation to kick it in a higher gear and contribute when they can....which is now. They are not D1 hockey players for no reason. The B1G is weak and they could get hot at the end of the year and make a run in the B1G tourney. Remember we do have Rumpel between the pipes.

 

[Hammy]

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

I questioned the Butters selection too. Someone who had been away from college athletics for so long....

Eaves definitely bungled things when he hired Butters. When a Gopher follower is immediately giddy about who you hire, it should tell you something.

Butters is a good person. No argument from me. However, recruiting, player attitudes, etc.... it ain't the early to mid 90s any more.

 

[Hammy]

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

To me, part of what makes one a great coach is the ability to adapt and also understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the group you've put together. Rather than perpetually trying to shove square pegs into round holes or forcing people to adapt to your system how about once in a while adapting to the talent you have and letting the horses go?

It is pretty tough to put young guys into the top roles if you don't have a few good upperclassmen to help show the way. I know you guys highlight the Gophers freshmen often times coming in and contributing. But a part of that has generally been having a productive vet out there with them (not just a vet... but a productive vet). Fasching had Rau and Warning last year. Cammarata and Kloos had a very good two way senior forward with them (Condon).

 

[Wisko McBadgerton]

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

It is pretty tough to put young guys into the top roles if you don't have a few good upperclassmen to help show the way. I know you guys highlight the Gophers freshmen often times coming in and contributing. But a part of that has generally been having a productive vet out there with them (not just a vet... but a productive vet). Fasching had Rau and Warning last year. Cammarata and Kloos had a very good two way senior forward with them (Condon).

I'll say this much: I don't know if we would have won any games yet, but I'd think with Kerdiles in the lineup we would have scored more than 3 goals at this point...

But alas, Nic is living the dream in Norfolk this year... Although to be fair, when he signed with the Ducks it looked like he might have a shot at making the roster until the Ducks signed Ryan Kesler and Nate Thompson, relegating Nic to the AHL (with Brad Winchester!) Barring injuries, or Kerdiles just completely tearing it up something fierce, I suspect he may be just collecting his $70k or so this year instead of closing in on a degree and becoming another Badger All-American.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

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

I'll say this much: I don't know if we would have won any games yet, but I'd think with Kerdiles in the lineup we would have scored more than 3 goals at this point...

But alas, Nic is living the dream in Norfolk this year... Although to be fair, when he signed with the Ducks it looked like he might have a shot at making the roster until the Ducks signed Ryan Kesler and Nate Thompson, relegating Nic to the AHL (with Brad Winchester!) Barring injuries, or Kerdiles just completely tearing it up something fierce, I suspect he may be just collecting his $70k or so this year instead of closing in on a degree and becoming another Badger All-American.

Technically even if he doesn't spend a day in the NHL this season he'll still make $162,500 (need to include his signing bonus of $92,500 each of the next three years).

 

[DPlaya]

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

And that is exactly why I an officially off the Eaves bandwagon. I was holding on due to numerous factors, but last year's kinda underwhelming year, the previous year being totally underwhelming during the regular season, and this year's awful start has pushed me off the bandwagon. He recruits great creative players due to his ability to mold them into NHL players, sticks them into his system, and then we sit here and wonder why UW can't score. I believe in the players. Adam Rockwood played 3 years in the BCHL. He's not smart enough or experienced enough to understand what a C does in Eaves' system (how complicated can it be?)? Eaves is selling these kids short.

And how much responsibility do we place on Shuchuck? He's a great rah rah guy in a postgame interview, I really like the guy, but what else is he bringing to the table in the form of player development? I like the influx of Canadian players, is that Eaves, Shuchuck or both?

Is UW stilling running the 1-1-3 like Chuck diagrammed 2 years ago?

Mostly or all 1-2-2 on this past Saturday night. I'm honestly not sure they have all the variations of their forecheck in yet. They seemed to sit back in the 1-2-2 a lot.