Chicken littles!

[BradyThomas]

Yes losing Larkin and Copp early is devastating and may end hopes of a National Title, but the rest of the Big Ten is either awful or decimated too. Keeping Werenski and Connor will be keys to the season. Michigan will have six returning NHL draftees, two definite first round picks in Werenski and Connor and four additional draftees in Warren, Boka, Cecconi and Marody. Red is ending with one of his best recruiting classes--just lacks a high end goalie.

Minnesota was the most talented team in the league last year but loses Seniors Kyle Rau, Sam Warning, Seth Ambroz, Travis Boyd, Christian Isakson, and Ben Marshall (it sure would be great to have that many contributing Seniors). In addition, they lost G Adam Wilcox, D Brady Skjei (1st round NHL draft pick) and D Mike Riley (even better college player) early to the NHL--a devastating trifecta of early departures. F Hudson Fachsing has not decided definitively whether or not he will sign with Buffalo. Minnesota will still have seven returning NHL draftees (assuming Fachsing stays) and some highly regarded incoming recruits led by potential first round pick F Tom Novak.

Michigan State just lost sophomore D Josh Jacobs, their highest drafted NHL player. In addition, they graduate leading scorer Matt Berry, D Ron Boyd and F Brent Darnell. They will have four returning NHL draft picks on their roster.

Penn State loses three of its top five scorers including leading scorer Casey Bailey, dismissed freshman forward Scott Conway and leading playmaker senior Taylor Holstrom. They will have three returning NHL draft picks.

Ohio State loses leading scorer Tanner Fritz along with F Matt Johnson, F Chad Niddery, F Darik Angeli and D Justin DaSilva. They will have two remaining NHL draft picks on the roster.

Wisconsin loses G Joel Rumpel and second leading scorer F Joseph LaBate off last year's dismal team.

It is not like any Big Ten team has a stranglehold on the conference title. In spite of being a young team, Michigan will be as talented as anyone.

 

[alnike]

I agree, I still expect Michigan to win first place in the Big Ten. Werenski's presence and continued improvement will be critical.

 

[MichaelSpath]

Yes losing Larkin and Copp early is devastating and may end hopes of a National Title, but the rest of the Big Ten is either awful or decimated too. Keeping Werenski and Connor will be keys to the season. Michigan will have six returning NHL draftees, two definite first round picks in Werenski and Connor and four additional draftees in Warren, Boka, Cecconi and Marody. Red is ending with one of his best recruiting classes--just lacks a high end goalie.

Minnesota was the most talented team in the league last year but loses Seniors Kyle Rau, Sam Warning, Seth Ambroz, Travis Boyd, Christian Isakson, and Ben Marshall (it sure would be great to have that many contributing Seniors). In addition, they lost G Adam Wilcox, D Brady Skjei (1st round NHL draft pick) and D Mike Riley (even better college player) early to the NHL--a devastating trifecta of early departures. F Hudson Fachsing has not decided definitively whether or not he will sign with Buffalo. Minnesota will still have seven returning NHL draftees (assuming Fachsing stays) and some highly regarded incoming recruits led by potential first round pick F Tom Novak.

Michigan State just lost sophomore D Josh Jacobs, their highest drafted NHL player. In addition, they graduate leading scorer Matt Berry, D Ron Boyd and F Brent Darnell. They will have four returning NHL draft picks on their roster.

Penn State loses three of its top five scorers including leading scorer Casey Bailey, dismissed freshman forward Scott Conway and leading playmaker senior Taylor Holstrom. They will have three returning NHL draft picks.

Ohio State loses leading scorer Tanner Fritz along with F Matt Johnson, F Chad Niddery, F Darik Angeli and D Justin DaSilva. They will have two remaining NHL draft picks on the roster.

Wisconsin loses G Joel Rumpel and second leading scorer F Joseph LaBate off last year's dismal team.

It is not like any Big Ten team has a stranglehold on the conference title. In spite of being a young team, Michigan will be as talented as anyone.

Don't disagree with you, but how about Michigan compared to the rest of the country? U-M making a Frozen Four run with its roster?

 

[Kevin13]

I agree Michael. Might be one of the better teams in the B1G but how do we compare to teams in Hockey East. Is this a situation where we make the tourney and just get bounced in the first round. Being the best in the B1G might not be much to cheer about.

 

[MichaelSpath]

I agree Michael. Might be one of the better teams in the B1G but how do we compare to teams in Hockey East. Is this a situation where we make the tourney and just get bounced in the first round. Being the best in the B1G might not be much to cheer about.

Michigan wins the B10, maybe. If the goalie situation clears itself up, but this team will be a shell of what it could have been.

 

[Capt28]

We are not starting from a platform of recent excellence here. Just making the NCAAs would be a marked improvement over the last 3 seasons.

 

[alfadriver]

Yes losing Larkin and Copp early is devastating and may end hopes of a National Title, but the rest of the Big Ten is either awful or decimated too. Keeping Werenski and Connor will be keys to the season. Michigan will have six returning NHL draftees, two definite first round picks in Werenski and Connor and four additional draftees in Warren, Boka, Cecconi and Marody. Red is ending with one of his best recruiting classes--just lacks a high end goalie.

Minnesota was the most talented team in the league last year but loses Seniors Kyle Rau, Sam Warning, Seth Ambroz, Travis Boyd, Christian Isakson, and Ben Marshall (it sure would be great to have that many contributing Seniors). In addition, they lost G Adam Wilcox, D Brady Skjei (1st round NHL draft pick) and D Mike Riley (even better college player) early to the NHL--a devastating trifecta of early departures. F Hudson Fachsing has not decided definitively whether or not he will sign with Buffalo. Minnesota will still have seven returning NHL draftees (assuming Fachsing stays) and some highly regarded incoming recruits led by potential first round pick F Tom Novak.

Michigan State just lost sophomore D Josh Jacobs, their highest drafted NHL player. In addition, they graduate leading scorer Matt Berry, D Ron Boyd and F Brent Darnell. They will have four returning NHL draft picks on their roster.

Penn State loses three of its top five scorers including leading scorer Casey Bailey, dismissed freshman forward Scott Conway and leading playmaker senior Taylor Holstrom. They will have three returning NHL draft picks.

Ohio State loses leading scorer Tanner Fritz along with F Matt Johnson, F Chad Niddery, F Darik Angeli and D Justin DaSilva. They will have two remaining NHL draft picks on the roster.

Wisconsin loses G Joel Rumpel and second leading scorer F Joseph LaBate off last year's dismal team.

It is not like any Big Ten team has a stranglehold on the conference title. In spite of being a young team, Michigan will be as talented as anyone.

So winning the B1G really means the winner gets a tournament spot. And not much else. Not sure if that something we can be happy about. I want the team to be competetive nationally. The B1G as well.