Riley Nash (CAR)

[Rita]

Bummer. I was wondering when the decision would be made; I had a sense of getting such news when I checked ELF over the weekend.

If he makes the big club, I'll buy his Hurricane jersey for my nephew.

[RatushnyFan]

He is really talented, will enjoy him in another red and white jersey next year while missing his presence at Cornell.  Thank you Riley and best of luck at Carolina.  Don't spend all of that $262,500 bonus and here's hoping you make the big club.

[Rosey]

Sucks for us, but I wish Riley nothing but success.

Now, how about that rebuilding year ahead? ;-)

[cbuckser]

Riley deserves all these accolades. Although it isn't apparent from the statistics, Riley became a more complete, well-rounded player during the course of his three years at Cornell.  He and the coaching staff deserve a lot of credit for that.

As a tweeted to a few people over the last week, I think he'll be a better player in the NHL than in the NCAA.  He's a playmaker who will benefit from being flanked by NHL-quality wingers at all times.

Jason Karmanos (Harvard '97) said that Riley will have a chance to make the team out of training camp.  It wouldn't surprise me if Riley does.  I would be surprised, however, if Riley doesn't make his NHL debut next season.

[Scersk '97]

Now, how about that rebuilding year ahead? ;-)

In all seriousness, I still expect us to be solid contenders to finish first in the regular season this next year.  While it will certainly be a rebuilding year for the offense, we return eight regular skaters (Devin, Kennedy, Jillson, Roeszler, Collins, Esposito, Miller, Nicholls) and have added some bruisers (DeSwardt = Baby?, Bitz?; Craig = same?) and a scorer (Mowrey = Gallagher, according to Schafer).  (Side question:  What happened to Miller at the end of last season?  No playoffs for him.)  I hope that Kary sees some more playing time, and Moulson, in his rare appearances, looked solid.  So, by my count, we have 8-9 solid skaters, assuming only one of Kary/Moulson pans out, and room for three new guys.  One wonders if Kevin Cole will suddenly "decide" to join this group.  One also wonders if we might see a defenseman converted to a forward.  (Whitney, Whitney, Whitney...  please!!!)  All we need is for Devin and Kennedy to step up and play like seniors, Roeszler to pull off an Iggulden, and for Jillson, Esposito, and especially Collins to continue developing.  I see two solid lines, one iffy line, and an energy line—which has all worked just fine in the past.

Defensively, at least to my eyes, we look extremely sound.  There's only one opening, and surely one of the two freshmen will step in nicely.  If both pan out, I would expect to see Whitney moved forward, as I suggested above.

Weakness in goal?  Pshaw.  I'll believe it when I see it.  Goaltender U, baby.

[ajh258]

Now, how about that rebuilding year ahead? ;-)

In all seriousness, I still expect us to be solid contenders to finish first in the regular season this next year.  While it will certainly be a rebuilding year for the offense, we return eight regular skaters (Devin, Kennedy, Jillson, Roeszler, Collins, Esposito, Miller, Nicholls) and have added some bruisers (DeSwardt = Baby?, Bitz?; Craig = same?) and a scorer (Mowrey = Gallagher, according to Schafer).

Weakness in goal?  Pshaw.  I'll believe it when I see it.  Goaltender U, baby.

Definitely. Although we lost some greats, the returning offensive players seem very promising as well. The seniors, Devin, Roeszler, and Kennedy, are all great playmakers, and Nicholls will be a key part of the offensive strategy as well. Jillson and Collins are also returning, and I see potential for either to top the team in goals or points.

Interesting to find out who will be starting goalie next year - Garman's performance at Princeton last season was above my expectations, but he looked like Scrivens in the early years, where there was a lot of movement outside the crease. (That's what I remember, I might be wrong because I missed most of the third quarter) I wonder if Isles is up to the test, won't be surprised if he was called to start some of the weaker opponents.

[Jim Hyla]

Now, how about that rebuilding year ahead? ;-)

In all seriousness, I still expect us to be solid contenders to finish first in the regular season this next year.  While it will certainly be a rebuilding year for the offense, we return eight regular skaters (Devin, Kennedy, Jillson, Roeszler, Collins, Esposito, Miller, Nicholls) and have added some bruisers (DeSwardt = Baby?, Bitz?; Craig = same?) and a scorer (Mowrey = Gallagher, according to Schafer).  (Side question:  What happened to Miller at the end of last season?  No playoffs for him.)  I hope that Kary sees some more playing time, and Moulson, in his rare appearances, looked solid.  So, by my count, we have 8-9 solid skaters, assuming only one of Kary/Moulson pans out, and room for three new guys.  One wonders if Kevin Cole will suddenly "decide" to join this group.  One also wonders if we might see a defenseman converted to a forward.  (Whitney, Whitney, Whitney...  please!!!)  All we need is for Devin and Kennedy to step up and play like seniors, Roeszler to pull off an Iggulden, and for Jillson, Esposito, and especially Collins to continue developing.  I see two solid lines, one iffy line, and an energy line—which has all worked just fine in the past.

Defensively, at least to my eyes, we look extremely sound.  There's only one opening, and surely one of the two freshmen will step in nicely.  If both pan out, I would expect to see Whitney moved forward, as I suggested above.

Weakness in goal?  Pshaw.  I'll believe it when I see it.  Goaltender U, baby.

So we have an offense with a number of "could be, should be, better be", players; a defense who lost two excellent players, and no one in goal that we know we can rely upon. And with all that we are solid contenders to finish first? If that's what makes up a first place team, I'd hate to see what the rest of the teams are like. Realistically to consider us anything more than rebuilding, and hope for a top 4 finish, is the most I can go.

[amerks127]

Now, how about that rebuilding year ahead? ;-)

In all seriousness, I still expect us to be solid contenders to finish first in the regular season this next year.  While it will certainly be a rebuilding year for the offense, we return eight regular skaters (Devin, Kennedy, Jillson, Roeszler, Collins, Esposito, Miller, Nicholls) and have added some bruisers (DeSwardt = Baby?, Bitz?; Craig = same?) and a scorer (Mowrey = Gallagher, according to Schafer).  (Side question:  What happened to Miller at the end of last season?  No playoffs for him.)  I hope that Kary sees some more playing time, and Moulson, in his rare appearances, looked solid.  So, by my count, we have 8-9 solid skaters, assuming only one of Kary/Moulson pans out, and room for three new guys.  One wonders if Kevin Cole will suddenly "decide" to join this group.  One also wonders if we might see a defenseman converted to a forward.  (Whitney, Whitney, Whitney...  please!!!)  All we need is for Devin and Kennedy to step up and play like seniors, Roeszler to pull off an Iggulden, and for Jillson, Esposito, and especially Collins to continue developing.  I see two solid lines, one iffy line, and an energy line—which has all worked just fine in the past.

Defensively, at least to my eyes, we look extremely sound.  There's only one opening, and surely one of the two freshmen will step in nicely.  If both pan out, I would expect to see Whitney moved forward, as I suggested above.

Weakness in goal?  Pshaw.  I'll believe it when I see it.  Goaltender U, baby.

So we have an offense with a number of "could be, should be, better be", players; a defense who lost two excellent players, and no one in goal that we know we can rely upon. And with all that we are solid contenders to finish first? If that's what makes up a first place team, I'd hate to see what the rest of the teams are like. Realistically to consider us anything more than rebuilding, and hope for a top 4 finish, is the most I can go.

I guess it'll probably another season of relative mediocrity.;-)

In all seriousness, I'm looking to Sean Collins as the forward [Cornell desperately needs] to break out next season.  With Gallagher and R. Nash gone, he'll likely be the first line center at the onset with Devin and Kennedy on the wings.

[Josh '99]

Interesting to find out who will be starting goalie next year - Garman's performance at Princeton last season was above my expectations, but he looked like Scrivens in the early years, where there was a lot of movement outside the crease. (That's what I remember, I might be wrong because I missed most of the third quarter) I wonder if Isles is up to the test, won't be surprised if he was called to start some of the weaker opponents.

The third "quarter"?  :-P

[jtwcornell91]

Realistically to consider us anything more than rebuilding, and hope for a top 4 finish, is the most I can go.

I'd be pretty happy finishing in the top 4: get a bye, hold serve at Lynah, then roll the dice in PlacidAlbanyAtlantic City.

[scoop85]

I have little doubt we'll be respectable, but hard to see us finding enough scoring to be among the top teams in the ECAC.  Then again, everybody thought lax would take a step back last year, and they exceeded all expectations.  Maybe being a bit under the radar will be a good thing.

[Scersk '97]

In all seriousness, I'm looking to Sean Collins as the forward [Cornell desperately needs] to break out next season.  With Gallagher and R. Nash gone, he'll likely be the first line center at the onset with Devin and Kennedy on the wings.

I agree on Collins.  He has great potential to be a breakout scorer, and, as you note, we're very thin down the middle with Nash's departure.  For that same reason, I would tap Roeszler, who has also played some center, as the other player we need to be extra solid.

[Trotsky]

Realistically to consider us anything more than rebuilding, and hope for a top 4 finish, is the most I can go.

I'd be pretty happy finishing in the top 4: get a bye, hold serve at Lynah, then roll the dice in PlacidAlbanyAtlantic City.

I can't see them having more than an "anything's possible" shot at the top 4 in 2011.  With Nash returning they looked like a .500 team.  Now, 8th or lower is far more likely.

Being in this position is going to be a totally new experience for a lot of younger fans.  It's not a disaster and it won't last forever, but after winning for so long it's natural to feel entitled.  The reaction to losing is not going to be pretty, but hopefully it will be driven by disappointment and frustration more than panic.

So when they go 9-11-2, please don't gorge out.  After all, they've already clinched the playoffs. ;-)

[jtwcornell91]

Realistically to consider us anything more than rebuilding, and hope for a top 4 finish, is the most I can go.

I'd be pretty happy finishing in the top 4: get a bye, hold serve at Lynah, then roll the dice in PlacidAlbanyAtlantic City.

I can't see them having more than an "anything's possible" shot at the top 4 in 2011.  With Nash returning they looked like a .500 team.  Now, 8th or lower is far more likely.

Being in this position is going to be a totally new experience for a lot of younger fans.  It's not a disaster and it won't last forever, but after winning for so long it's natural to feel entitled.  The reaction to losing is not going to be pretty, but hopefully it will be driven by disappointment and frustration more than panic.

So when they go 9-11-2, please don't gorge out.  After all, they've already clinched the playoffs. ;-)

So you're saying think 1998, not 1996 (or 2004).  At least 1998 featured the Sack of Troy.

[amerks127]

"Cornell hockey prepares for life without Riley"

http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20100720/SPORTS03/7200340/Cornell+hockey+prepares+for+life+without+Riley