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Marshmont_63 wrote: Fri May 11, 2018 4:54 pm 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

rsox1221 wrote: Fri May 11, 2018 5:17 pm

Marshmont_63 wrote: Fri May 11, 2018 4:54 pm 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 wrote: Fri May 11, 2018 5:52 pm

rsox1221 wrote: Fri May 11, 2018 5:17 pm

Marshmont_63 wrote: Fri May 11, 2018 4:54 pm 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.

Billybuck wrote: Sun May 27, 2018 7:42 pm 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 wrote: Mon May 28, 2018 11:15 am 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?

78 wrote: Thu May 10, 2018 5:47 pm 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.