Exit Kyle Connor Comment Count

Brian

Not a surprise, of course:

Connor, the Hobey Baker winner in an alternate universe where college hockey is run by people who can count, had a monster freshman year with a 35-36-71 line. That kind of production isn't replaceable even if Michigan had another first-round forward coming in, which they do not. The CCM line is down to just one C, and at this point I kind of expect JT Compher to sign as well.

The remaining roster is fine, but if they do lose Compher it doesn't look like the kind of outfit that is going to be able to overcome the defensive issues that have been a constant the last five years; this year's edition had a line that scored like it was 1985 and they still didn't win the Big Ten.

Comments

Don

April 11th, 2016 at 12:15 PM ^

Played for a legendary coach and prominent program just long enough to get the exposure and publicity required to get the contract offer that was the sole goal to begin with.

He ought to give Red a percentage.

gwkrlghl

April 11th, 2016 at 1:58 PM ^

I really feel like you just do not understand how hockey recruiting and career progressions go. If you want 1st round guys on your team, most of them will probably leave after 1-2 years because they're ready for the next level.

If you want to be MSU and slog it out with a bunch of 4 year guys, then you recruit 22 year old freshmen from the NAHL and you suck.

WFNY_DP

April 12th, 2016 at 8:21 AM ^

What "exposure" does he need? He was a first round pick. Winnipeg was no doubt keeping tabs on his season no matter where he was playing. It's not like he earned himself this huge extra amount of money. That's not how NHL ELCs work.

WFNY_DP

April 12th, 2016 at 8:20 AM ^

"Played for a legendary coach and prominent program just long enough to get the exposure and publicity required to get the contract offer that was the sole goal to begin with."

I don't understand this belief. An NHL ELC has a ceiling on it no matter who signs it or when it's signed. You can't "earn more" by playing a great year in the NCAA. As a first round pick, he gets the same contract no matter when he signs.

For example, there isn't going to be an escalating bidding war for Jimmy Vesey because he's not signing with the Predators. He's going to get the same contract term/value, no matter where he signs. He simply gets to pick which organization he wants to sign with.

Rabbit21

April 11th, 2016 at 12:24 PM ^

Good for him and wish him the best of luck.  He gave us a fun year on a dominating line the likes of which we haven't seen for awhile.

It's not his fault that the coaching staff isn't very good with defense for whatever reason.  

Pepto Bismol

April 11th, 2016 at 2:18 PM ^

Not that this is a surprise, but I finally got around to thinking about what they're losing.  I can't believe this is what Red envisioned when he decided to return.  Have to think he was blind-sided by one or more of these defections.  Assuming Compher is gone as well, which is a popular hunch:

- Michigan will lose 7 of their top 10 in points.

- Just Alex Kile returns from the top two lines.

- Lose Downing & Werenski - virtually the only offense from the blue line.

- In total, Michigan loses 63% of their total point production from this season.

 

Berenson either thought he had more coming back, or he decided he wanted to oversee a transition season that will rely on their perennial weakness (defense and goaltending) to keep the team afloat while the offense finds their new stride.

 

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April 12th, 2016 at 1:00 AM ^

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