UMass Lowell Off-Season 2017: Next verse, same as the first

[Patman]

Getting odd having all those good seasons in a row.

We pull the car back into the garage and we spend the off-season retooling and building a better monster.

This year's team was interesting. Took a little while to find its way... it took awhile to get their discipline under control. In the end they played like we thought they could but came up short when out opponent gave their all.

Its tough, when you aren't so good, every good performance is magic. When you get good only the end of the season gives any magic. This team has a lot of solid parts, we may lose CJ Smith but then again maybe we don't... depends how much he wants to play in the AHL. Wall has coughed up the occasional softie but has been solid for us overall and I hope the in between sees his development improve.

Hard to think we're done already, but then again, we have to believe we're hardly done.

[UMLFan]

Getting odd having all those good seasons in a row.

We pull the car back into the garage and we spend the off-season retooling and building a better monster.

This year's team was interesting. Took a little while to find its way... it took awhile to get their discipline under control. In the end they played like we thought they could but came up short when out opponent gave their all.

Its tough, when you aren't so good, every good performance is magic. When you get good only the end of the season gives any magic. This team has a lot of solid parts, we may lose CJ Smith but then again maybe we don't... depends how much he wants to play in the AHL. Wall has coughed up the occasional softie but has been solid for us overall and I hope the in between sees his development improve.

Hard to think we're done already, but then again, we have to believe we're hardly done.

This will see one of the largest point totals departing the Lowell program in a long time. I fully expect CJ to leave unfortunately.

[Middle Street]

Is it fair to say that was the best team Norm has had since he's been here?

Hellebuyck had an insane 940 sv% the seasons he was here. Wall was great this year, but not even close to that level.

Not making the Frozen Four with this team feels like a tremendous lost opportunity.

[NU_Husky]

Kapla signs ELC with New Jersey, will burn a year off it and debut this season

[ScottK]

Kapla signs ELC with New Jersey, will burn a year off it and debut this season

Devils Press Release: https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/devi...al/c-288164008

Edit: I've been informed that he's expected to be in the lineup the Devils Friday night against the Islanders.

[Patman]

Is it fair to say that was the best team Norm has had since he's been here?

Hellebyuck had an insane 940 sv% the seasons he was here. Wall was great this year, but not even close to that level.

Not making the Frozen Four with this team feels like a tremendous lost opportunity.

I feel that first hellebuyck ("buy" is my way of remembering the spelling) was the "golden year" and I just wonder what the hell happened to the game plan against Yale. That defense plus helly was unreal

We may have had a top team this year but that team was just so lock down

[BostonSoccerDad]

... Hard to think we're done already, but then again, we have to believe we're hardly done.

Well said. Unfortunately we have some terrific player leadership leaving us this year, but if they did their job right (which I expect they did), these leaders left behind a solid culture that the next generation of leaders will embrace and perpetuate.

[Felger]

This will see one of the largest point totals departing the Lowell program in a long time. I fully expect CJ to leave unfortunately.

That may be the case but look at what is departing league wide between graduation, early departures and a pretty decent team leaving all together. All things being equal I think you guys will be fine. Going to be a pretty senior laden squad the rest of us will have to go through.

[UML '92]

This will see one of the largest point totals departing the Lowell program in a long time. I fully expect CJ to leave unfortunately.

I agree these are a lot of points, but the good thing is that we are likely returning a ton of experienced players, even if C.J. leaves. This freshman class has developed as well as any in the Bazin Era, with Lohin potentially competing for first or second team Hockey East starting next season. The depth is there for another deep run next season.

[UML Puck Hawk]

Gambardella to the Oilers

[ScottK]

Gambardella to the Oilers

Edmonton Press Release: https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/oile...la/c-288172444

[BostonSoccerDad]

Edmonton Press Release: https://www.nhl.com/oilers/news/oile...la/c-288172444

Congrats to Joe! He has always been my favorite player to watch since his freshman year. He hustles every shift. While he may not be a flashy player, he plays hard and with determination. Been fun to see him progress as a player from when he first started.

Before the game on Sunday during team warmups, my wife and I were talking to a scout from the Flyers organization. One of the players he was keeping an eye on was Gambardella. I could have seen Joe easily becoming a fan favorite in Philly with his playing style if he went there. Anyway, best of luck to him!

[UMLFan]

Bazin named Finalist for the Penrose.

[UML Puck Hawk]

Sportsnet saying CJ may not end up signing this year

[riverchief1]

Sportsnet saying CJ may not end up signing this year

There's been various thoughts/rumors floating around regarding CJ from a variety of sources amongst the fan base the past several weeks. It would be fantastic to get his leadership and offensive output back next year, keeping the top line 2/3 intact. He has an opportunity to have a truly special senior year, both from a team and individual perspective, so many are hoping he stays.

[Middle Street]

This article from the Edmonton Journal suggests the Oilers may be trying to sign CJ as well:
http://edmontonjournal.com/sports/ho...-two-year-pact

[riverchief1]

Since Campbell is an actual Oiler draft pick, wonder what's up there? Not a sign of him since that major in the second UNH playoff game. One would think that Oilers would want to get him in the fold but maybe they've soured on him?

[ScottK]

Since Campbell is an actual Oiler draft pick, wonder what's up there? Not a sign of him since that major in the second UNH playoff game. One would think that Oilers would want to get him in the fold but maybe they've soured on him?

I know that Craig MacTavish was at Game 3 against UNH, presumably to watch Campbell, but he obviously was also doing some scouting of others.

[Middle Street]

Sportsnet saying CJ may not end up signing this year

Is this the article you got that news from?
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/3...olden-knights/

If so, that's a positive sign for those of us holding out hope. Friedman is a well connected source, and he probably would have said he was "close to signing" if he was certain to be leaving.

Edit: Jeff Cox tweeted minutes ago that he believes CJ is close to leaving, and that he thinks Tyler Mueller may leave early too.

[QUAlum2004]

Jeff Cox‏ @JeffCoxSports

All indications are UMass Lowell junior CJ Smith will forgo final season to sign NHL deal. Elite finisher, shifty and has good speed.