2016-17 Predictions

[mac2351]

 

[FDNY99]

The Jr class is really gonna have to show some improvement on the ice for this team to finish 7th.

 

[mac2351]

I am optimistic UConn will finish 7th in the league and win a round. Maybe, with a favorable draw and a hot Huska or Nichols, they have a chance at a game at the Garden.

My three biggest questions:

1. Outside of the Letunov, Thompson line, who is going to step up? The El-Mir, Ronan line was really good at the end of the year but can it be carried over? I believe freshman Alexandre Payusov will play a big part this season. The team needs to solidify a second line. Who is going to step up and fill the Shawn Pauly void?

2. Huska vs Nichols. I believe most of the year they will split duties but by the end of the year Huska will be the number one going into the playoffs.

3. The junior class. Following their freshman year, Cavanaugh was disappointed. Following their sophomore year, Cavanaugh was disappointed. Without an improvement from the junior forwards, the team will struggle to finish seventh.

It is imperative this season the team takes advantage of having Letunov and Thompson on the roster.

On campus this Saturday, an exhibition game versus St. Francis Xavier.

 

[mac2351]

Preseason USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll
September 26, 2016
Team (First Place Votes) Record Points Last Poll
1 North Dakota (43) 34- 6-4 993 1
2 Quinnipiac ( 1) 32- 4-7 856 2
3 Denver 25-10-6 848 4
4 Boston University ( 5) 21-13-5 774 14
5 Boston College ( 1) 28- 8-5 641 3
6 Minnesota-Duluth 19-16-5 621 9
7 St. Cloud State 31- 9-1 569 5
8 Massachusetts-Lowell 26-10-5 535 7
9 Notre Dame 19-11-7 502 13
10 Providence 27- 7-4 476 7
11 Michigan 25- 8-5 470 6
12 Harvard 19-11-4 422 10
13 Minnesota 20-17-0 404 NR
14 Bowling Green 22-14-6 370 NR
15 Northeastern 22-15-5 361 12
16 St. Lawrence 19-14-4 336 18
17 Michigan Tech 23- 9-5 285 16
18 Yale 19- 9-4 283 11
19 Minnesota State 21-13-7 153 17
20 Ferris State 20-15-6 126 15
Others receiving votes: Cornell 92, Nebraska-Omaha 85, Penn State 63, Clarkson 62, Rochester Institute of Technology 62, Ohio State 33, Air Force 17, Vermont 16, Miami 11, Wisconsin 10, Dartmouth 6, Robert Morris 6, Michigan State 5.


Read more: http://www.uscho.com/rankings/d-i-mens-poll/#ixzz4LOd9FOtV

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

UConn picked to finish 7th by the coaches, definitely warranted. Shows quite a bit of respect from the coaches of the league to vote UConn that high in only the third year of being in HE.

 

[FDNY99]

UConn picked to finish 7th by the coaches, definitely warranted. Shows quite a bit of respect from the coaches of the league to vote UConn that high in only the third year of being in HE.

You have to agree this will only happen if the Jr class steps up and improves. If they falter it will be tough to finish here.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

You have to agree this will only happen if the Jr class steps up and improves. If they falter it will be tough to finish here.

Could be, I don't follow the specifics of the UConn roster close enough to know where they'll rise or falter beyond the top performers. That said, I do know Maine, UMass, and UNH have BAD rosters, it should not require much effort to finish above those three. Also, no team in the five below UConn has anyone nearly as talented as Thompson and Letunov. Of course any roster can underperform and fall from their predicted finish, but from a sheer talent perspective UConn is solidly in the 7 spot of the league on paper.

 

[FDNY99]

Could be, I don't follow the specifics of the UConn roster close enough to know where they'll rise or falter beyond the top performers. That said, I do know Maine, UMass, and UNH have BAD rosters, it should not require much effort to finish above those three. Also, no team in the five below UConn has anyone nearly as talented as Thompson and Letunov. Of course any roster can underperform and fall from their predicted finish, but from a sheer talent perspective UConn is solidly in the 7 spot of the league on paper.

It will be interesting to see Payusov and Huska. I have heard some good stuff about Payusov from a former player who was working out with the team on campus.

 

[huskymedic]

UConn Hockey Visits TD Garden for Hockey East Media Day

 

[mac2351]

It will be interesting to see Payusov and Huska. I have heard some good stuff about Payusov from a former player who was working out with the team on campus.

I think Payusov has a chance to play on the top line with Letunov and Thompson.

 

[ct06111]

UConn Hockey Visits TD Garden for Hockey East Media Day

OT: in the article...
2x on TV this year
vs Umass Fri Dec 9th 6:30
@ UVM Fri Jan 20th 6:00
Still haven't gotten to the gut in VT. 6:00 pm on a Friday? Sucks last year was on a Friday too. It's tough to work and make it up there for fri night. Wish they'd schedule a sat.

Not sure about @ ND games due to nbc/nbcsn contract. The article only talks HE TV Contract with ASN/NESN