No denying that this year's team was tough to watch or that the team has underperformed of late (although last year's team sure was fun to watch with Werenski and the CCM line). Being 57th out of 60 D1 hockey teams in Corsi made this year's team unwatchable. They never possessed the puck. After years of horrible goaltending (losing Campbell and Gibson to the OHL hurt for years), this year's mostly excellent goaltending made an abysmally awful team only really bad.
I have consistently read that one of the reasons that Red must go is that he will not be able to recruit as a lame duck and is going to leave the cupboard barren. In reality, Red has recruited incredibly well and has positioned his successor with a roster that should allow future success. These kids also have to be committing to Michigan and not Red as he is likely to retire before they step foot on campus.
Next year: C Josh Norris (leading scorer on NTDP and great second half. Craig Button now has him at #21 prospect for 2017 draft and the fourth highest incoming NCAA recruit). Quinn Hughes, puck-moving, great skating D and viewed as a first round pick in the 2018 draft. Michael Pastujov--battled injuries the last two years but was viewed as one of top American forwards before hurt. Still will be drafted. Gustaf Westlund and Dakota Raabe, two speedy forwards.
Following year: D Mattias Samuelsson, a big shut down D to complement Hughes, and another 2018 first round draft pick. D Jacob Semik, a puck-moving D and forwards Blake Jenkins, Jack Randl and Calen Kiefiuk.
2019: D Michael Vukojevic of Mississauga is the top D in Ontario and is a huge get. D Alec Regula is a tall defensive defenseman. There were rumors this week that Jack Hughes, Quinn's brother, may be coming to Michigan to skate with Quinn. Jack is the consensus #1 player in all of NA and likened by some to Connor McDavid. He would likely be a one and done but is a transcendent player. Hughes can do it all.
2020: Three Little Caesars commits in F Antonio Stranges, a total dangler. Power F Pat Guzzo and D Jacob Truscott. Stranges and Truscott viewed as two of the top 2002s in the US.
The challenge with such early recruiting is not all players develop and not all commits matriculate, but for all of Red's faults one cannot say that his lame duck status will not allow Michigan to sign any future recruits. The one to watch is Jack Hughes. He may never step foot on campus although he is not Austin Matthews size so may spend a year with Quinn.
I have consistently read that one of the reasons that Red must go is that he will not be able to recruit as a lame duck and is going to leave the cupboard barren. In reality, Red has recruited incredibly well and has positioned his successor with a roster that should allow future success. These kids also have to be committing to Michigan and not Red as he is likely to retire before they step foot on campus.
Next year: C Josh Norris (leading scorer on NTDP and great second half. Craig Button now has him at #21 prospect for 2017 draft and the fourth highest incoming NCAA recruit). Quinn Hughes, puck-moving, great skating D and viewed as a first round pick in the 2018 draft. Michael Pastujov--battled injuries the last two years but was viewed as one of top American forwards before hurt. Still will be drafted. Gustaf Westlund and Dakota Raabe, two speedy forwards.
Following year: D Mattias Samuelsson, a big shut down D to complement Hughes, and another 2018 first round draft pick. D Jacob Semik, a puck-moving D and forwards Blake Jenkins, Jack Randl and Calen Kiefiuk.
2019: D Michael Vukojevic of Mississauga is the top D in Ontario and is a huge get. D Alec Regula is a tall defensive defenseman. There were rumors this week that Jack Hughes, Quinn's brother, may be coming to Michigan to skate with Quinn. Jack is the consensus #1 player in all of NA and likened by some to Connor McDavid. He would likely be a one and done but is a transcendent player. Hughes can do it all.
2020: Three Little Caesars commits in F Antonio Stranges, a total dangler. Power F Pat Guzzo and D Jacob Truscott. Stranges and Truscott viewed as two of the top 2002s in the US.
The challenge with such early recruiting is not all players develop and not all commits matriculate, but for all of Red's faults one cannot say that his lame duck status will not allow Michigan to sign any future recruits. The one to watch is Jack Hughes. He may never step foot on campus although he is not Austin Matthews size so may spend a year with Quinn.
