Future Predictions

[arugula]

Another question.  Will Fegaras live up to his reputation?

[fastforward]

With the hope of sparking some conversation, here are my three biggest questions for our returning players next year.

1. Can Castagna put up points?
You don't have to watch too much of his game to see how he went in the third round but Castagna had not put up points for us like I would expect. If he can make the jump to challenge Walsh to be our top scorer that would be a massive help to the offense.

2. Can Major make the jump?
During the first half of last season I was infuriated with how weak Major was on the puck and how little he was getting on the stat sheet. The second half I thought he was excellent for a freshman and was an important piece down the stretch. If he can continue to develop and become a top line and powerplay mainstay, that takes a lot of pressure off the incoming freshman to put up big points.

3. What the hell is Sean Donaldson?
Donaldson has honestly had a fascinating Cornell career. The guy comes in to Cornell after dropping a ridiculous 70 points in 47 BCHL games. He puts up 10 points freshman year and looks poised to continue to develop into and important forward for the team. In his sophomore and juniors years though, he has played 26 games and put up 0 points. Not just that, but he singlehandedly lost us a game last year with his butt-ending antics in Hamilton. Can Donaldson play his way into the lineup sheet every week and be a senior presence for this team or will he have yet another disappointing year?

#1 depends on surgery recovery for both  Castagna and Walsh
#2 time will tell now that the early part of freshman nerves got put to ease
#3 we never know what goes on behind the scenes but new year, new coach hopefully brings a new outlook

[scoop85]

With the hope of sparking some conversation, here are my three biggest questions for our returning players next year.

1. Can Castagna put up points?
You don't have to watch too much of his game to see how he went in the third round but Castagna had not put up points for us like I would expect. If he can make the jump to challenge Walsh to be our top scorer that would be a massive help to the offense.

2. Can Major make the jump?
During the first half of last season I was infuriated with how weak Major was on the puck and how little he was getting on the stat sheet. The second half I thought he was excellent for a freshman and was an important piece down the stretch. If he can continue to develop and become a top line and powerplay mainstay, that takes a lot of pressure off the incoming freshman to put up big points.

3. What the hell is Sean Donaldson?
Donaldson has honestly had a fascinating Cornell career. The guy comes in to Cornell after dropping a ridiculous 70 points in 47 BCHL games. He puts up 10 points freshman year and looks poised to continue to develop into and important forward for the team. In his sophomore and juniors years though, he has played 26 games and put up 0 points. Not just that, but he singlehandedly lost us a game last year with his butt-ending antics in Hamilton. Can Donaldson play his way into the lineup sheet every week and be a senior presence for this team or will he have yet another disappointing year?

As for #3, I too have been perplexed that Donaldson has yet to take the leap towards being a solid contributor. Maybe he'll finally put it together in his senior seaons.

[BearLover]

This has been a very strange offseason.

—It began with the most crushing loss in recent Cornell hockey history and the end of our beloved coach's career, after a miracle run to get us to that point.
—But the lacrosse program exorcised its demons and finally won it all, bringing joy back to Cornell athletics.
—Our best returning forward signed pro.
—Our best returning D transferred.
—We brought in two transfer D, both of whom are drafted but unproven at the college level.
—The most shocking new addition came when we took a highly touted goalie straight from the QMJHL, shoring up our biggest weakness next season.
—The roster was announced and we have 31 athletes on it, which has to be among the largest rosters in the country. Our incoming class of 14 kids also has to be among the biggest.
—Meanwhile, Quinnipiac and Clarkson stockpiled 20-year-old CHL players, and RPI hired a new coach and revamped its roster. Brown and Dartmouth lost some of their better players to early pro signings/transfers.
—Blue blood programs added blue chip CHL prospects, including many first round NHL picks.
—Cornell ended radio coverage of hockey games and fired the TV hockey commentary team.

[Trotsky]

"May you live in interesting times."

[margolism]

Add to the list that Yale will have a new interim head coach too.