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Post by Fletcher on Sept 29, 2023 15:48:14 GMT
It's that time again. The Bruins graduated McFaul and Olson out of the NCAAs, and Kuntar and Lohrei signed pro contracts. But the 2023 draft infused the Bruins NCAA ranks with some new names. Unfortunately the rampant practice of delaying the start of NCAA careers now means that several NHL-drafted prospects won't get their college play started for another year. Pelosi and Hendrickson will play in the USHL and Nassen will play another year in Sweden, before starting college in 2024. Currently, I think the NCAA group is highlighted by Gallagher, Duran, Gasseau, and Locmelis. Gallagher could be a Ryan Lindgren type that finds an NHL spot. Duran is probably a bottom-6 utility forward in the pros, but skates really well and seems to have that well-rounded NHL game. Gasseau is a big kid (6'4, 220lbs) who had a very good season last year as a freshmen, but he'll be challenged again for ice time by a loaded BC roster and incoming recruiting class. I bet Gasseau jumps to the AHL at the end of BC's season. Locmelis could be a really interesting prospect as a center, but he'll also have to fight for ice time on a deep UMass roster. I'm not sure he'll get into the top-6 as a freshmen there. Svedeballs has shown some promise in goal at Providence and is worth keeping an eye on too. Name | Pos | School | Year | GP | G | A | Points | Riley Duran
| F | Providence | Junior | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Jake Schmaltz | F | North Dakota | Junior | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Ty Gallagher | D | Boston University | Junior | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Cole Spicer | F | Minnesota-Duluth | Sophomore | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Mason Langenbrunner | D | Harvard | Sophomore | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Oscar Jellvik | F | Boston College | Sophomore | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Andre Gasseau | F | Boston College | Sophomore | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Dans Locmelis | F | UMass | Freshmen | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Ryan Walsh | F | Cornell | Freshmen | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Christopher Pelosi | F | Quinnipiac | 2024 |
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| Beckett Hendrickson | F | Minnesota | 2024 |
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| Casper Nassen | F | Miami-Ohio | 2024 |
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| GP | W | GAA | Save% | Phillip Svedeback | G | Providence | Sophomore | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
I've heard speculation that Kristian Kostadinski (7th rounder, 2023) will play NCAA hockey next year, but he has not committed anywhere yet, to my knowledge. He's in Sweden this year. Let me know if I've missed anyone.
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Post by kelvana33 on Sept 29, 2023 16:39:48 GMT
Awesome work Fletch, appreciate the work you put into this.
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Post by sandogbrewin on Sept 29, 2023 17:44:54 GMT
Andre "Tony Gaspipe" Gazoo!
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Post by drewski6 on Sept 29, 2023 18:20:21 GMT
Go Friars. Love the PC bookend.
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Post by Fletcher on Sept 29, 2023 20:32:50 GMT
Go Friars. Love the PC bookend. You'll have to share feedback if you watch some PC games this year. I watched a couple last year. I couldn't really get much of a read on Svedeback, but I really liked watching Duran. He doesn't seem quite naturally talented enough for a top-6 forward spot in the NHL, but he seems well-suited for a checking line player at the next level, if his development continues. I thought he was an outstanding skater, competitor, and played a two-way game. It's not always easy to get excited about a 3rd liner as a prospect, but perhaps the full-potential upside value could be something like an Anthony Cirelli or Casey Cisikas type.
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Post by bookboy007 on Oct 2, 2023 20:04:09 GMT
Go Friars. Love the PC bookend. You'll have to share feedback if you watch some PC games this year. I watched a couple last year. I couldn't really get much of a read on Svedeback, but I really liked watching Duran. He doesn't seem quite naturally talented enough for a top-6 forward spot in the NHL, but he seems well-suited for a checking line player at the next level, if his development continues. I thought he was an outstanding skater, competitor, and played a two-way game. It's not always easy to get excited about a 3rd liner as a prospect, but perhaps the full-potential upside value could be something like an Anthony Cirelli or Casey Cisikas type. I remember an old thread where we talked about the trends in rosters and strategies. Super skilled teams like Pitt and Detroit were breaking the trap, then Boston and LA went defense and physical challenge. Bye, skill teams (Chicago was almost a tweener). Then a few rules changed and stupid speed took over. Then fast skill. Time for a reversion to depth. Teams are loading up big lines so now you get ahead of it and rather than march your $30mil line against theirs, have a good two way line as line 1 but a great line three. Win that 3rd line battle by more than their 30 mil line wins the line one battle. If Duran is part of that, that's awesome.
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Post by Fletcher on Oct 5, 2023 18:58:48 GMT
You'll have to share feedback if you watch some PC games this year. I watched a couple last year. I couldn't really get much of a read on Svedeback, but I really liked watching Duran. He doesn't seem quite naturally talented enough for a top-6 forward spot in the NHL, but he seems well-suited for a checking line player at the next level, if his development continues. I thought he was an outstanding skater, competitor, and played a two-way game. It's not always easy to get excited about a 3rd liner as a prospect, but perhaps the full-potential upside value could be something like an Anthony Cirelli or Casey Cisikas type. I remember an old thread where we talked about the trends in rosters and strategies. Super skilled teams like Pitt and Detroit were breaking the trap, then Boston and LA went defense and physical challenge. Bye, skill teams (Chicago was almost a tweener). Then a few rules changed and stupid speed took over. Then fast skill. Time for a reversion to depth. Teams are loading up big lines so now you get ahead of it and rather than march your $30mil line against theirs, have a good two way line as line 1 but a great line three. Win that 3rd line battle by more than their 30 mil line wins the line one battle. If Duran is part of that, that's awesome. Yeah, I wonder how much that analysis is showing up in the analytics, and to what extent it's demonstrating some big problems with a McDavid-Draisaitl or Kane-Toews type model. Your top 5 can't just be better than other teams in that scenario -- it has to beat other teams by a lot, when they can spend a bunch more money on functionally productive 2nd and 3rd lines. When Draisaitl scores 128 points but is only +7, you wonder. Is that enough of an edge from your $8-12 million pieces to cover your discounted checking lines? That might be a reason to feel a little more optimistic about this upcoming season, if of course, the Bruins 3rd line is actually better than others. That's always the hope with Toronto for me. That they're top heavy enough with overpaid stars, that you can find their soft underbelly in a 7-game series. Anyhow, I like that thought about a player like Duran, and the Cisikas comparison as a hope. Cizikas was home grown, drafted by the Isles, and has been a very effective mainstay of the 3rd line for a decade, while still only pulling $2.5 a year in cap space. A great franchise value for a 4th round pick.
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Post by sandogbrewin on Oct 8, 2023 17:00:44 GMT
If you did a re-draft today. No way Gasser Gasseau is taken in the 7th round.
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Post by Fletcher on Oct 9, 2023 13:47:06 GMT
Duran and Svedeballs engineer an opening weekend upset of Michigan for the Friars.
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Post by Fletcher on Oct 9, 2023 13:50:19 GMT
If you did a re-draft today. No way Gasser Gasseau is taken in the 7th round. Yeah, who knows what he will be, but it makes no sense that he went that late in the draft. Even in the USHL, he looked productive. I think he was one of those kids who was good enough to make the USNDP, but then got buried behind the talent there.
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Post by Fletcher on Oct 15, 2023 15:01:23 GMT
UMass looks strong, but Dans Locmelis is serving a 4-game suspension to start the year (for apparently playing a couple of pro games in Sweden), so he hasn't been able to play yet.
I have to add Quinn Olson back onto the list as he got an extra year of eligibility and stayed at Minn-Duluth. It looked like he and Cole Spicer were actually playing on a line together this weekend.
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Post by sandogbrewin on Oct 16, 2023 14:59:21 GMT
"McFaul zeros 3-2 win over Vermont
Schmaltz 2 for 6 faceoffs 2-0 win over Wisconsin
Olson 2 assists 5 shots Spicer 1 goal 1 assist 4 shots +2 16 for 21 faceoffs 8-5 win over Northern Michigan
Gallagher looked terrible vs the NTDP, Eiserman dusted him for his first goal"
Rat Dogs got beat by UNH this weekend.
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Post by sandogbrewin on Oct 21, 2023 22:35:56 GMT
"Friday Night Wrap
PC with a massive win over Denver. Duran was excellent, 1goal 4 shots -1 5 for 9 faceoffs. Svedebäck 21 saves and the win
McFaul 1 shot 4-1 loss to Merrimack
Gallagher 1 shot -1 4-1 loss to Notre Dame. BU is a mess, Lane Hutson was hurt.
BC beats RPI 6-1. Gasseau 1 assist 3 shots 1 for faceoffs. Jellvik 1 goal 2 shots +1
Schmaltz and North Dakota fall to Minnesota 4-0. Our guy 1 shot -1 4 for 8 faceoffs
Spicer 1 goal 1 shot +1 6 for 13 faceoffs. Olson 1 assist 3 shots +1. 4-0 win over Bemidji State"
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Post by Fletcher on Oct 22, 2023 15:30:19 GMT
Cole Spicer with the OT winner last night. Kid seems to be finding his groove this season.
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Post by sandogbrewin on Oct 27, 2023 21:33:30 GMT
Couldn't have asked for a better opening to the season. Plays well against good teams.
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Post by Fletcher on Oct 28, 2023 16:06:34 GMT
I watched the BC-MSU game last night. Jellvik looked good and Gasseau looked very good (despite only ending up with an assist). He buried a breakaway goal in the 3rd period, only to have it called back on a c-hair offsides. That BC roster is loaded with future NHL players, and still Gasseau stands out, to me.
In other news, Dans Locmelis is finally playing at UMass, but had an uneventful night.
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Post by sandogbrewin on Oct 29, 2023 13:33:55 GMT
"Friday Night Wrap
Harvard 2-1 shootout win that went 18 rounds... Langenbrunner zeros across the board and missed his attempt in round 16
Duran 6 for 8 faceoffs Svedebäck 13 saves 4-1 win over Vermont
Gallagher vs Locmelis BU beat U Mass 5-2, Locmelis -2 2 for 6 faceoffs Gallagher zeros across the board.
Jellvik 2 assists 2 shots Gasseau 1 assist 2 shots +1 5-1 win over Michigan State, BC moved Gasseau to Will Smiths line.
Cornell takes out Minnesota Duluth 4-1. Ryan Walsh 1 goal 1 assist 5 shots 9 for 20 faceoffs in a 3rd line Center role.
Spicer 1 assist 3 shots -1 11 for 19 faceoffs. Olson 1 assist 1 shot -1. Spicer and Olson started on the first line
Schmaltz 3 shots 4 for 8 Faceoffs 6-2 win over Minnesota State. Pelosi 1 assist 3 shots Hendrickson 1 goal 4 shots 4-3 loss."
Forgot to post the Bs NCAA stat from Friday.
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Post by moognoates on Nov 2, 2023 19:24:23 GMT
Will be going to the UNH/Providence game tomorrow night. Will give my own personal scouting report on Duran Duran and Svedeballs.
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Post by sandogbrewin on Nov 4, 2023 18:17:28 GMT
Jellvik with the wip cross ice pass to Cutter.
"Langenbrunner -1 4-4 tie v Dartmouth. Walsh 1 goal 3 shots -1 11 for 15 faceoffs wins 3-1 victory
Jellvik 1 assist 2 shots Gasseau -1 0-3 faceoffs, he hit the crossbar and buried a UML player with a clean check 3-2 win
Duran 3 shots 2 for 4 faceoffs 1-1 tie Svedebäck 28 saves.
Locmelis -1 7 for 10 faceoffs 2-1 OT win over Northeastern
BU beats North Dakota 3-2 Gallagher 1 assist +1 Schmaltz 1 assist 1 shot +1 3 for 6 FO's"
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Post by bookboy007 on Nov 4, 2023 18:24:02 GMT
Jellvik with the wip cross ice pass to Cutter. "Langenbrunner -1 4-4 tie v Dartmouth. Walsh 1 goal 3 shots -1 11 for 15 faceoffs wins 3-1 victory Jellvik 1 assist 2 shots Gasseau -1 0-3 faceoffs, he hit the crossbar and buried a UML player with a clean check 3-2 win Duran 3 shots 2 for 4 faceoffs 1-1 tie Svedebäck 28 saves. Locmelis -1 7 for 10 faceoffs 2-1 OT win over Northeastern BU beats North Dakota 3-2 Gallagher 1 assist +1 Schmaltz 1 assist 1 shot +1 3 for 6 FO's" Anyone seen a game or two of Locmelis? The updates don't paint a rosy pic, but acclimation and starting with a suspension might just mean he's not up to his usual level.
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Post by moognoates on Nov 5, 2023 1:08:02 GMT
Will be going to the UNH/Providence game tomorrow night. Will give my own personal scouting report on Duran Duran and Svedeballs. I haven't watched a college hockey game in person in about 10 years. I couldn't believe how physical the game was. Really entertaining. Was really interesting watching the game from a prospect perspective, which I wouldn't have done in the past. Just one game for me ofcourse but Svedeback was incredible. UNH had one outstanding chance after another that he turned aside. Did get fortunate with three posts. Only goal on him was a breakaway late in the third. Duran was pretty quick I guess and had a few nice checks but didn't stand out much. It was a bit amazing to me that you have him and a couple other NHL capable prospects playing against JAGS that will never play beyond college and its not like Duran or others stood out. Guess that is why scouts are scouts, see things the rest of us don't.
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Post by Fletcher on Nov 5, 2023 17:21:44 GMT
Will be going to the UNH/Providence game tomorrow night. Will give my own personal scouting report on Duran Duran and Svedeballs. I haven't watched a college hockey game in person in about 10 years. I couldn't believe how physical the game was. Really entertaining. Was really interesting watching the game from a prospect perspective, which I wouldn't have done in the past. Just one game for me ofcourse but Svedeback was incredible. UNH had one outstanding chance after another that he turned aside. Did get fortunate with three posts. Only goal on him was a breakaway late in the third. Duran was pretty quick I guess and had a few nice checks but didn't stand out much. It was a bit amazing to me that you have him and a couple other NHL capable prospects playing against JAGS that will never play beyond college and its not like Duran or others stood out. Guess that is why scouts are scouts, see things the rest of us don't. I don't think Duran is the type of guy who's gonna 'Wow' you at the NCAA level with pure skill or scoring. But he seems to do everything well and better than most at this level. He can skate and play defense better than most. He can hit and can score well enough. He has good size and speed. Lots of NCAA centers will never play center in the NHL, but Duran potentially could. He's certainly not lacking talent. He was MVP of the Prep League before college, and played very well at the WJC against the best competition. He reminds me of Sean Kuraly in college, who was a pretty damn good scorer, but projected as a checking line guy in the NHL because he could skate and defend so well.
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Post by Fletcher on Nov 5, 2023 17:36:21 GMT
Updated table, 11/5/2023Adding McFaul and Olson back into the table, as they are indeed playing that 5th 'graduate' season instead of departing after their senior season last year. Name | Pos | School | Year | GP | G | A | Points | Quinn Olson | F | Minnesota-Duluth
| Graduate | 9 | 1 | 8 | 9 | Dustin McFaul | D | Clarkson | Graduate | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Riley Duran
| F | Providence | Junior | 9 | 3 | 2 | 5 | Jake Schmaltz | F | North Dakota | Junior | 8 | 0 | 4 | 4 | Ty Gallagher | D | Boston University | Junior | 8 | 0 | 2 | 2 | Cole Spicer | F | Minnesota-Duluth | Sophomore | 9 | 4 | 3 | 7 | Mason Langenbrunner | D | Harvard | Sophomore | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Oscar Jellvik | F | Boston College | Sophomore | 8 | 5 | 3 | 8 | Andre Gasseau | F | Boston College | Sophomore | 8 | 2 | 3 | 5 | Dans Locmelis | F | UMass | Freshmen | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Ryan Walsh | F | Cornell | Freshmen | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | Christopher Pelosi | F | Quinnipiac | 2024 |
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| Beckett Hendrickson | F | Minnesota | 2024 |
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| Casper Nassen | F | Miami-Ohio | 2024 |
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| GP | W | GAA | Save% | Phillip Svedeback | G | Providence | Sophomore | 9 | 6 | 1.80 | .926 |
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Post by Fletcher on Nov 5, 2023 17:55:23 GMT
Anyone seen a game or two of Locmelis? The updates don't paint a rosy pic, but acclimation and starting with a suspension might just mean he's not up to his usual level. I watched just a little bit of the games this weekend, while flipping. The first thing I noticed is that he appears to be a little deep in the rotation -- I think he was playing 3rd line center. This is unfortunate and exactly why I wished he committed elsewhere, with more TOI opportunity as a freshmen. This happens so much in college hockey and boggles the mind a little but. It's not like junior hockey with drafting and more parity. The blue chip prospects seem all pile into the same top flight NCAA programs, which put the most kids in the NHL (Michigan, BU, BC, Minn, Denver, N. Dakota etc.). Then, they all fight for ice time, with some really good prospects being sent to the 3rd line (and not getting any PP time). At the moment, UMass is in that category too, with 7 current NHL drafted forwards and a great freshmen class where Locmelis does not really stand out. I'm not really answering your question as I did not see enough of Locmelis to rate his play, but I do think lack of opportunity is a big part of the story. I wouldn't expect big numbers from Locmelis. I wish he went to a 2nd tier NCAA school where he could play top-6 minutes every night, especially with the NCAA season being a pretty short one, compared to junior.
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Post by bookboy007 on Nov 5, 2023 19:49:16 GMT
Anyone seen a game or two of Locmelis? The updates don't paint a rosy pic, but acclimation and starting with a suspension might just mean he's not up to his usual level. I watched just a little bit of the games this weekend, while flipping. The first thing I noticed is that he appears to be a little deep in the rotation -- I think he was playing 3rd line center. This is unfortunate and exactly why I wished he committed elsewhere, with more TOI opportunity as a freshmen. This happens so much in college hockey and boggles the mind a little but. It's not like junior hockey with drafting and more parity. The blue chip prospects seem all pile into the same top flight NCAA programs, which put the most kids in the NHL (Michigan, BU, BC, Minn, Denver, N. Dakota etc.). Then, they all fight for ice time, with some really good prospects being sent to the 3rd line (and not getting any PP time). At the moment, UMass is in that category too, with 7 current NHL drafted forwards and a great freshmen class where Locmelis does not really stand out. I'm not really answering your question as I did not see enough of Locmelis to rate his play, but I do think lack of opportunity is a big part of the story. I wouldn't expect big numbers from Locmelis. I wish he went to a 2nd tier NCAA school where he could play top-6 minutes every night, especially with the NCAA season being a pretty short one, compared to junior. It's possible that they don't care quite as much about his production this season and are mostly keen to see him acclimate to the speed, physicality and rink dimensions as well as the culture. I think he's able to play in the A next year, so I won't be surprised to see him jump after just one year. Possible....
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