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6 Comments:
This was a re-run of all the previous seasons. I'm going to say it:
ENOUGH of Marty Schottenheimer Umile!
He is a great regular season coach but he can't get his guys prepared for the Playoffs. At first I was willing to blame the players, but its the same event over and over again. Time to hang it up and get someone in here to get the job done!
Wow. I can't believe how that game turned out. The Wildcats completely dominated the game for most of the first period (especially the first 2 minutes) but go down in flames. Regan was right on when he said they can be a very good team and a very bad team in the same game.
You were right about undisciplined penalties. 27-10 in penalty minutes. 2 PP goals for ND, and 2 empty net goals that were basically a result of a major.
That one stings. Not because they lost as much as that it was a beating. It also makes Hockey East look weak.
Do you expect all undrafted seniors to sign pro contracts? And do you think any underclassmen will forego their remaining years at this point in favor of the NHL?
Great question!
I would say yes to the first part - I expect all of these seniors to find a pro spot soon much like last year's group.
Fornataro and Radja show a lot of promise. I would expect Fornataro to land in the ECHL (where his brother is) and Radja perhaps cutting the AHL.
Flaishans and Switzer. Flaishans could work his way to an AHL slot, Switzer more likely ECHL level.
Regan - definitely AHL level with NHL call-up potential. Though many goalies have been bounced through all three leagues this past year.
It's really up to them and how hard they're willing to work to make the most of their potential.
Though with Brad 'The Brain' Flaishans I'm not sure if there will be enough financial incentive to play hockey but I think he will make a go of hockey for now.
As for the underclassmen - no one is anywhere near NHL ready. This won't stop some from leaving if the offer hits the table. I know DeSimone wants to move on from previous comments that he has made but I wouldn't expect to see any this year.
There was a rumor floated that Kapstad was close to an offer to join the Bruins' organization but I'm firmly categorizing that as rumor for now - but I've been passed along some pretty good rumors in the past.
After next year, all bets are off, especially if the freshmen turning sophomores mature the way I think they will.
We have another great class coming in an some incredible potential from goal on out that will see and increased role next season.
Looking forward to it!
Go 'Cats!
Interesting. Do you think Dries and/or Thompson will be drafted this spring? Thompson came on strong at the beginning, but was basically a non-factor relegated to fourth-line duty for most of the season. Dries, even though he scored a lot of points, didn't particularly impress me either -I think he only did so well because Radja and Fornataro made him play better, not because he actually was better. He did nothing on his other lines to prove his skill set, and I got the feeling he was only moved up to first line after JVR centered the second line and Umile was hoping to catch lightning in a bottle, not because Dries had done much to deserve it. Also, his two penalties in the BC game basically lost the game for the 'Cats. Do you see the second line staying intact and becoming the first line next year? And do you see Butler's role being increased now that he will be older and will have more experience, a la Radja and Fornataro? I think he has a shot to post similar or better career numbers than those two.
I don't think they will be but it's hard to tell.
Thompson's early success was very integral to the play of Dries when they were on the fourth line with DeSimone. Then Thompson was with vanRiemsdyk. I thought both Dries and Thompson showed a lot of potential but I don't know if they'll get drafted for it.
Also with Dries' numbers looking like vanRiemsdyk's are somewhat misleading. As you mentioned, Fornataro and Radja did make him better but he worked hard (I wouldn't second guess Umile - too many people think that if a coach does something and it doesn't work out, then they are stupid. Put yourself in Umile's position and really think about what you would do) and played well - and let's not forget that vanRiemsdyk didn't work out well with them - but vanRiemsdyk scored the bulk of his points on a line with Pollastrone and Butler who both really stepped up like I thought they would this year. James also managed to score more points in 6 fewer games to lead the freshman class. I'm hoping that we see the hard work that made vanRiemsdyk the #2 draft pick next year and a big jump in the level of vanRiemsdyk's play even though it may mean almost certain departure once the season is done.
As for Butler, he has impressed me since the stretch the previous season. And how about Jerry Pollastrone!? 7 goals over the last 4 games!?
The second line is almost certainly next year's first line. And it's hard to see the Fortney-Collins-Sislo line going away too. But what then? I like a Thompson-DeSimone-and the incoming Steve Moses. Moses is a real play maker and Thompson and DeSimone can really put the puck in the net. Then that leaves Dries-LeBlanc-and ??? Vranek? Manz? One of the newcomers? Hard to say.
As always I'll anxiously await the beginning of the new season and hope to see everyone at the Alumni Game - it's free! And a great time to see some of your favorite Alums.
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