Exit Phil Di Giuseppe
[Adam Glanzman/Daily]
Winger Phil Di Giuseppe has signed with Carolina:
Michigan's Phil Di Giuseppe has signed with the Carolina Hurricanes, voiding his final year of eligibility.
— Michael Spath (@Spath_Wolverine) March 26, 2014 It's something of a blow to lose a senior-to-be who had a 13-11-24 line and some talent, but I'm putting together a post on the hockey team that inevitably looks at what they should have next year and it's obvious that Michigan was anticipating some attrition. PDG in particular was the subject of OHL rumors after his first year and never really seemed that into the whole Michigan thing.
Ah, hell. Might as well say it: whatever problems Michigan had that caused Red to say that this team had underachieved and it drove him nuts fall squarely on the scoring-line type wingers who were outpaced by Copp, Motte, and Compher not only in the scoring department but the defensive responsibility one. Unfortunately, Michigan doesn't have a Corsi stat or anything like that so your one potential indicator of defensive GAF is blocked shots. And that's pretty stark. Compher + Copp: 56. Moffatt + Guptill + PDG: 32.
Attempts at stats fail. The eyeball test had me groaning about giving a crap for large sections of the year. Whatever culture issues the team has seem centered in an older cohort, and I'm not sure losing them is much of a blow. And now I don't have to figure out how to spell his name 50 times a year.
Michigan is still waiting on a decision from Guptill; no one else seems like a likely departure.
March 26th, 2014 at 11:20 AM ^
I would have liked to see him stay but they way Red recruited this year it was expected. What we have coming in at left wing next year will easily replace his production.
March 26th, 2014 at 11:30 AM ^
Don't Compher and Copp play PK? They should have higher blocked shot numbers.
The eyeball test is likely correct though. It's best for both sides to move on.
March 26th, 2014 at 11:38 AM ^
Another #Wolverine signed, Alex Guptill with @DallasStars - remember watching him shine with the Brampton Capitals. #OJHL #DallasStars
— Mark Edwards (@MarkEdwardsHP) March 26, 2014
March 26th, 2014 at 11:44 AM ^
Of my 6 years watching Michigan hockey, he is neck-and-neck with Tristin Llewellyn as the most frustrating player I've ever watched.
Tristin had an uncanny knack for taking the stupidest penalties he could possibly take at the worst time. The top 10 list of dumb penalties I've seen Michigan take probably feature Llewellyn in at least 8 spots.
Guptill was dynamic when he gave a sh*t, which was usually 4-5 games a season. He is the zenith of Really Talented Underachieving Michigan Hockey. He could be so much better if he wanted to be
March 26th, 2014 at 11:40 AM ^
March 26th, 2014 at 11:40 AM ^
He was good for a nice goal every once in a while but was probably our 5th best forward at best. He of the Boo-PDG-Guptill group who are supposed to be elite scorers but either don't score (Boo, PDG) or don't care or both.
Thanks for your time here, but we probably won't miss him much next year
March 26th, 2014 at 11:57 AM ^
who have more of an interest in graduating as Wolverines than burnishing their resume for the pros and leaving as soon as possible, we can get back to the Frozen Four. If he can't, we won't.
March 26th, 2014 at 12:02 PM ^
I'm having a hard time being upset about this. He had a ton of talent and I wish him well in the NHL. But, on the whole I think this may be a chance for the program to right itself.
March 26th, 2014 at 12:24 PM ^
Now I see why Calderone and Murphy were added as recent recruits at forward.
I hope they surprise me, but I see a potential grind the next couple years as Red finishes his contract.
After Copp, Compher and Zach, how much else is there? Questions on defense, who is going to score? Several players need to step up, like the sophomore class which is relatively small and another year of heavy reliance on freshman. Are all of the most talented players natural centers (Compher, Copp, Larkin and Boo)
Larkin is a top recruit, but over the past 5 years, these recruits need to prove it first before I get excited.
We have a 14-15 Sr. class with Zach Hyman and several walk-on type non-impact players.
After 14-15, Copp and Compher will be flight risks and probably Boo too for lack of development.
14-15 roster (? Sinelli F or D)
Boo, Copp, Hyman
Motte, Compher, Allen
Dancs, Larkin, Kile
Calderone, Murphy, Sinelli
Shuart, Selman, Talcott
Downing, Lohan
de Jong, Martin
Serville, Piazza
Chiasson, Szuma, S Hyman
Zach
Racine
March 26th, 2014 at 12:55 PM ^
Doesn't surprise me with the departures, but it will be interesting to see if anything comes out about the leadership/effort issues from teammates and the like. Seems like this group of guys just never clicked.
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