Gandalf the Red
Cardinal and White Wizard
Re: Wisconsin Offseason '10: The Aftermath
I agree, I think sometimes Badger fans don't realize how lucky they have been the past few seasons to have the lineup on the blue line that we as fans have gotten to enjoy. I have a hard time believing that an assemblage of five 1st and 2nd round picks (McBain, McD, Goulobef, Smith, Gardiner and Schutlz playing at any given time) will ever happen again at UW let along anywhere else in college hockey. We were fortunate and I know I enjoyed it and will enjoy the top notch crew still back next season.
Springer, Little and Johnson all have game experience and 2 or 3 seasons of practice under their belt, I personally don't feel too bad having those three as options, along w/ Frankie Simonelli, to fill in the last two spots in the lineup next season. The Badger blue line will still be one of the most experienced blue lines in the country, and right near the top in talent.
What we had as fans the past two seasons was special (even if the result in 2008/09 wasn't) and while this season will be a "drop off" it will drop off to one of the top units in the country, from DotA (which I always thought was a stupid term
)
This doesn't even mention the next group of top blue liners lined up for the next few seasons in McCabe, Hesketh and Schmaltz. I'm sure the loss of Oz will hurt some in recruiting blue liners, but this is still Wisconsin, and Eaves will find someone to keep that trend going.
While losing Goloubef and Smith to early departure is certainly worse then having them return for their senior years, our D corp will be extrememly talented and the envy of most if not all college teams (especially if McDonagh somehow manages to return). Schultz, Gardiner, & McDonagh give you 3 guys that can run a PP as good as any in the country. Add in Rampage and you have a solid top 4 with plenty of options to mix and match to get your third pairing which in honesty is more of a luxury then a neccesity (there is no reason a horse like McDonagh can't play half the game). Lose McDonagh and I'm not as confident because you will need a player that is much less certain to step into your top 4 (we will have plenty of choces still...but all will be far from a given).
Up front, we do lose a ton of experience, scoring, talent in the 8 departed forwards.
I agree, I think sometimes Badger fans don't realize how lucky they have been the past few seasons to have the lineup on the blue line that we as fans have gotten to enjoy. I have a hard time believing that an assemblage of five 1st and 2nd round picks (McBain, McD, Goulobef, Smith, Gardiner and Schutlz playing at any given time) will ever happen again at UW let along anywhere else in college hockey. We were fortunate and I know I enjoyed it and will enjoy the top notch crew still back next season.
Springer, Little and Johnson all have game experience and 2 or 3 seasons of practice under their belt, I personally don't feel too bad having those three as options, along w/ Frankie Simonelli, to fill in the last two spots in the lineup next season. The Badger blue line will still be one of the most experienced blue lines in the country, and right near the top in talent.
What we had as fans the past two seasons was special (even if the result in 2008/09 wasn't) and while this season will be a "drop off" it will drop off to one of the top units in the country, from DotA (which I always thought was a stupid term
This doesn't even mention the next group of top blue liners lined up for the next few seasons in McCabe, Hesketh and Schmaltz. I'm sure the loss of Oz will hurt some in recruiting blue liners, but this is still Wisconsin, and Eaves will find someone to keep that trend going.