2018-2019 Season

[rsox1221]

There is a glut of defensemen right now. Someone will be transferring from the back end. As of right now, UMass has: Makar / Ferraro / M. Del Gaizo / Chukarov / Vegara / Felix / Farmer / McLaughlin / Couturier / Torpstrom / (and possibly Cassaro, though he could be delayed a year).

Teams hardly ever carry more than 8 defensemen, so it'll be interesting to see who leaves. My money would be on one (or more) of Torpstrom, Chukarov, or McLaughlin.

I think the 6 D you start are:

Makar - Ferraro
M. Del Gaizo - Farmer
Felix - Couturier/McLaughlin

Depending on Buffalo's plan Chukarov could always go the professional route as well. Would alleviate a bit of a logjam if he and the Sabres decided to sign a contract.

Torpstrom is probably the most likely in my mind to move on. He was the extra defenseman this season, and the blue line is only getting better. Going to be tough for him to find ice time.

Felix may not jump right into the lineup this year though. He and Vegara could see a bit of an acclimation year. MDG and Farmer are definitely more likely to start playing right away.

Down the line you're looking at Makar and Ferraro both likely being gone after this season. I'd agree that Cassaro might delay a year; right now there is really too many defensemen and you don't need to add another. I'm looking to see if Ferraro can move up from last cut to in the top 6 for Canada at the WJC this season, could be an interesting proposition if he and Makar manage to get there (or back in Cale's case) and maybe pair together.

[Marshmont_63]

There is a glut of defensemen right now. Someone will be transferring from the back end. As of right now, UMass has: Makar / Ferraro / M. Del Gaizo / Chukarov / Vegara / Felix / Farmer / McLaughlin / Couturier / Torpstrom / (and possibly Cassaro, though he could be delayed a year).

Teams hardly ever carry more than 8 defensemen, so it'll be interesting to see who leaves. My money would be on one (or more) of Torpstrom, Chukarov, or McLaughlin.

I think the 6 D you start are:

Makar - Ferraro
M. Del Gaizo - Farmer
Felix - Couturier/McLaughlin

Depending on Buffalo's plan Chukarov could always go the professional route as well. Would alleviate a bit of a logjam if he and the Sabres decided to sign a contract.

Torpstrom is probably the most likely in my mind to move on. He was the extra defenseman this season, and the blue line is only getting better. Going to be tough for him to find ice time.

Felix may not jump right into the lineup this year though. He and Vegara could see a bit of an acclimation year. MDG and Farmer are definitely more likely to start playing right away.

Down the line you're looking at Makar and Ferraro both likely being gone after this season. I'd agree that Cassaro might delay a year; right now there is really too many defensemen and you don't need to add another. I'm looking to see if Ferraro can move up from last cut to in the top 6 for Canada at the WJC this season, could be an interesting proposition if he and Makar manage to get there (or back in Cale's case) and maybe pair together.

I don't think there's any way Buffalo offers Chukarov a contract. He'd get eaten alive in any pro league right now. His best bet is to get a college degree. I honestly don't think he has a future playing hockey. I agree that Torpstrom is the most likely to go though. He never really got a chance to play, and he is definitely the most expendable defenseman. Felix is someone who I think will play as a third D-pair because of his physicality. Jeff Cox gave him an outside chance to make the USA WJC roster for this upcoming year. He most likely won't make the team, but the recognition is good. I couldn't agree more on Del Gaizo and Farmer. They'll be the best defensemen outside of Makar and Ferraro. Also, Makar and Ferraro aren't eligible to play in the WJC though. They're both too old.

[rsox1221]

There is a glut of defensemen right now. Someone will be transferring from the back end. As of right now, UMass has: Makar / Ferraro / M. Del Gaizo / Chukarov / Vegara / Felix / Farmer / McLaughlin / Couturier / Torpstrom / (and possibly Cassaro, though he could be delayed a year).

Teams hardly ever carry more than 8 defensemen, so it'll be interesting to see who leaves. My money would be on one (or more) of Torpstrom, Chukarov, or McLaughlin.

I think the 6 D you start are:

Makar - Ferraro
M. Del Gaizo - Farmer
Felix - Couturier/McLaughlin

Depending on Buffalo's plan Chukarov could always go the professional route as well. Would alleviate a bit of a logjam if he and the Sabres decided to sign a contract.

Torpstrom is probably the most likely in my mind to move on. He was the extra defenseman this season, and the blue line is only getting better. Going to be tough for him to find ice time.

Felix may not jump right into the lineup this year though. He and Vegara could see a bit of an acclimation year. MDG and Farmer are definitely more likely to start playing right away.

Down the line you're looking at Makar and Ferraro both likely being gone after this season. I'd agree that Cassaro might delay a year; right now there is really too many defensemen and you don't need to add another. I'm looking to see if Ferraro can move up from last cut to in the top 6 for Canada at the WJC this season, could be an interesting proposition if he and Makar manage to get there (or back in Cale's case) and maybe pair together.

I don't think there's any way Buffalo offers Chukarov a contract. He'd get eaten alive in any pro league right now. His best bet is to get a college degree. I honestly don't think he has a future playing hockey. I agree that Torpstrom is the most likely to go though. He never really got a chance to play, and he is definitely the most expendable defenseman. Felix is someone who I think will play as a third D-pair because of his physicality. Jeff Cox gave him an outside chance to make the USA WJC roster for this upcoming year. He most likely won't make the team, but the recognition is good. I couldn't agree more on Del Gaizo and Farmer. They'll be the best defensemen outside of Makar and Ferraro. Also, Makar and Ferraro aren't eligible to play in the WJC though. They're both too old.

Ah that's my mistake, I thought Makar and Ferraro had another year for the WJC. I was wrong.

Chukarov is probably not making a push to be a pro, but there's always a chance he gets one contract. Would just be convenient if it happened now.

[78]

Just saw on the Twitter that James Marcou is interviewing for an assistant position at Brown. Good luck, James!

[KahunaK]

Can anyone give an objective evaluation of the recruits coming in? Great, good, ok, weak? Hard for a non-hockey type to evaluate.

[Marshmont_63]

The recruits coming in aren’t as good as last year’s recruits, but don’t let that fool you. Both of the Del Gaizo brothers are going to be very good here. It’s a solid recruiting class overall. I’m really interested to see how the goaltending situation plays out. Filip Lindberg, the Finnish goalie, is a pretty good goalie. He should be able to compete with Murray for the starting job. It seems clear to me that Wischow is on the outside looking in at this point. Murray and Lindberg are the future of this team in terms of goaltending. Ty Farmer is a good addition to the D too. I think He and Marc Del Gaizo will be the two best defensemen after Makar and Ferraro.

[KahunaK]

^^^^
Would you say that UMASS is recruiting at the same level as the teams at the top of HE?

[InnervisionsUMASS]

^

In one ranking last year, we were #4 (link below). I don't know about this year's class, but I'd say it's likely not a major dip. I think we're quite competitive with the top half of the HE from a recruiting perspective right now.



https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/ ... nkings.php

[78]

We are not in the top 5 this year, but 3 Hockey East teams, led by Connecticut at #2, are. The other 2 are PC an BC. Our class of 8 coming in this year is really solid, but without the star power of Makar and Ferraro, it just won't rank as high. Here's a link to all Hockey East committed recruits:
https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/ ... ast/5/conf

[Billybuck]

were the big recruits from last year(makar) brought in and were michelettos recruits pretty much? That is my understanding after talking with others that last years class was michelettos guys. so this year is greg's class?

[rsox1221]

were the big recruits from last year(makar) brought in and were michelettos recruits pretty much? That is my understanding after talking with others that last years class was michelettos guys. so this year is greg's class?

Billybuck's back, love it

Last year was a lot of Carvel's guys with Makar more an exception. Micheletto did land Makar initially and he deserves credit for that. However Carvel and his staff also deserve a measure of credit for keeping him, particularly as they were in place when Makar's meteoric rise really took off

This incoming class, they are all Carvel + staff

[78]

^^^
This is correct. Leonard is also a Mick guy. That said, if Mick was the coach they probably would have won 10 games max.

[Billybuck]

thank you for the love...forgot about leonard...he was signed long ago i think. hey...would you guys be interested in answering a hypothetical question? would love to hear ALL of your opinions and then follow it up with another question?

[Marshmont_63]

thank you for the love...forgot about leonard...he was signed long ago i think. hey...would you guys be interested in answering a hypothetical question? would love to hear ALL of your opinions and then follow it up with another question?

Let's hear it

[Old Cage]

Just read that Austin Plevy is leaving as a grad transfer. Was a healthy scratch for several games early in the season. Saw a lot of 3rd/4th line action last 15-20 games. I expect to see a few more guys leaving given the large and promising class coming in.

https://www.uscho.com/2018/06/21/northe ... 19-season/