Leneveu signs with Phoenix?

[jtwcornell91]

As long as we're looking for silver linings in Lenny's departure, I imagine we'll see a dropoff in the number of bandwagon fans when they figure out next years Cornell team will not be competing for the title of best in the nation.  I just hope we don't end up with a lot of empty seats as a result of facetimers figuring this out after they've already bought season tickets.

[Greg Berge]

If the past is any indication we'll see this pattern repeat itself:

(1) Confusion.
(2) Anger and frustration.
(3) Orgy of recriminations.
(4) Call for Schafer's head.

Depending upon the age of the fan, this takes between 3 losing seasons (30 year olds) and 3 losing weekends (20 year olds).

Personally, I'd rather we kept winning and dealing with the fair weather types... is that an option? ;-)

In any case, it won't come to 3 losing seasons unless we've seriously overestimated the freshmen.



Post Edited (07-08-03 08:26)

[tom nachod \'63]

So we play with a different goalie (Marr?) who performed really well in his 4 games last year, or we have Chabot.. Both of them are better than many of the  existing first string Division 1 goalies in the nation.  We have to "make do" with some highly touted freshmen, and we worry whether they'll be so good they might leave school early.  Gosh what a pity party.  How can some of you be so pessimistic?  Schaefer has done an outstanding job in "scheduling" the replacements for the graduating seniors, and our goalie.  There is no doubt in my mind that we will be number one in the ECAC and contend for the frozen four.  We may just be peaking at that time.  There are many programs out there who woould "kill" to be in our situation.  We have a greaeat returniing nucleus of guys, some real good frosh, and at least two capable goalies.  Relax, and enjoy the ride!

[RedAR]

The 2003-2004 Cornell Team Roster at USCHO has David McKee listed as a freshman goalie.

So, will we be going with a 3 goalie platoon?

[Give My Regards]

John T. Whelan '91 wrote:
That was indeed the situation with Burt.  (And possibly also Skazyk.)

I don't believe Skazyk was a deferred admission, as he did not matriculate at Cornell until January 1993.  I think he might have taken classes at TC3 in the fall of '92.   The Big Red started that season with Andy Bandurski in net, backed up by JV'er Geoff Raynak (this was the season after Parris Duffus turned pro).

[French Rage]

I agree with Tom.  While we may not be the national title contender we were last year, we will still be pretty damn competitive this year.  Not to downplay the loss of LeNeveu and the seniors, but I feel that the sophomores will continue on their great pace and our highly-touted freshmen class will be able to make a contribution.  Look at the stats, we've got a fast and big, and most importantly defensive mined, group of guys coming in, and by the end of this year at least they should be on pace to replacing '03.

Granted Marr, Chabot, and McKee are no LeNeveu (at least that we know of), but theyre not complete sieves for crying out loud.  Marr went 2-2 with a 1.76 GAA against two ranked and NCAA tourny teams, Maine (who was #2 at the time) and OSU, and then swept the North Country.  Three years ago we would have considering a sweep of the North Country a miracle.  And McKee, from what I read, seems more than able to continue Cornell's great goaltender tradition; for comparison, another NAHL all-start goalie was Ryan Miller.  Chabot, well, I'm not completely sold, but he was highly touted, so he should be able to hold his own.

While I think we may be a bit to young to be called a Frozen Four contender, I see us being able to crack the national rankings now and then, sort of like we did during 00-01.  I think we are a definite front runner, if not favorite for the ECAC.  Yeah, I know everyone says Harvard will win the ECAC, but theyve been saying that for how many years now and it hasnt happened.  I think Schafer will be able to mold these guys quickly enough that we could still belieavable will win the Cleary Bidet.

[jtwcornell91]

RedAR wrote:
So, will we be going with a 3 goalie platoon?

That doesn't seem to be Schafer's pattern.  E.g., Pelletier saw very little action while Elliott and Skazyk were platooning, and likewise Gartman behind Burt and Underhill.  (Presumably with Marr only having a year of eligibility left, there's less worry that the #3 guy will get antsy and transfer to Michigan.)

[DeltaOne81]

Definitely agree with JTW, I've been saying to friends now that I expect a Marr/Chabot 50-50ish rotation (unless one proves to be significantly better, maybe with Marr getting the call a bit more at first).

McKee will probably hone his skills in practice - I get the feeling Schafer doesn't play freshmen right off the bat - think of Gartman, Lenny's first half of the year until he proved himself very impressive in practice. If he shows signs of the next coming, perhaps he'll get some time later, but if not, I expect a Marr/Chabot year, followed by Chabot/McKee for the forseeable future.



Post Edited (07-08-03 12:58)

[Al DeFlorio]

DeltaOne81 '03 wrote:
Definitely agree with JTW, I've been saying to friends now that I expect a Marr/Chabot 50-50ish rotation (unless one proves to be significantly better, maybe with Marr getting the call a bit more at first).

McKee will probably hone his skills in practice - I get the feeling Schafer doesn't play freshmen right off the bat - think of Gartman, Lenny's first half of the year until he proved himself very impressive in practice. If he shows signs of the next coming, perhaps he'll get some time later, but if not, I expect a Marr/Chabot year, followed by Chabot/McKee for the forseeable future.

I think LeNeveu played every regular season weekend his freshman year except one--the first ECAC weekend against Union and RPI.  Even played Cornell's opening game of the year against UAH.

If McKee's good, he'll play soon.

[Richard Stott]

I agree.  On paper McKee seems to be a very good prospect and I think he'll play a lot.  I feel much better about things than if we only had Marr and Chabot.  No matter how it turns out, out have to give Schafer credit.  He had a Plan B ready to go when LeNeveu left.

We have huge graduation losses and what now appears to be a really first-rate Freshman class.  I don't know when I have had less idea what to expect from team.  I'm really looking forward to seeing them play.

[Al DeFlorio]

When asked last fall about playing Marr or Chabot to prepare them for LeNeveu's juniors championship absence, Schafer made clear he intended to field the best possible team every game.  I don't expect next year he'll do it any differently.

Richard Stott wrote:
We have huge graduation losses and what now appears to be a really first-rate Freshman class.  I don't know when I have had less idea what to expect from team.  I'm really looking forward to seeing them play.

My sentiments exactly.

[ugarte]

Al DeFlorio wrote:

Richard Stott wrote:
We have huge graduation losses and what now appears to be a really first-rate Freshman class.  I don't know when I have had less idea what to expect from team.  I'm really looking forward to seeing them play.

My sentiments exactly.

I third that emotion.  I am not expecting to compete for the national title, but I am expecting this squad to compete for the ECAC title, and I am expecting them to be in the running for an NCAA bid if the team falls short in Albany.

As for the goalies, I trust that Schafer will play his best team every chance he gets, and if McKee is the best goalie he will get substantial playing time.  But until proven otherwise, I think it is best to set our expectations for McKee a little lower than "David LeNevue redux."  Marr played well in his limited opportunities last year, and Chabot was a highly regarded prospect coming into the year.  I would rather have Lenny between the pipes, but I feel very good about the coming year.  

Last year was great, but I think that what we do this year will say more about, and mean more to, the future of this team.  Wary but excited, I can't wait for the Red/White game.



Post Edited (07-08-03 14:50)

[Jordan 04]

Greg wrote:

If the past is any indication we'll see this pattern repeat itself:

(1) Confusion.
(2) Anger and frustration.
(3) Orgy of recriminations.
(4) Call for Schafer's head.

Depending upon the age of the fan, this takes between 3 losing seasons (30 year olds) and 3 losing weekends (20 year olds).

A somewhat insulting generalization, but I guess myself and others can just pretend that we're among the wiser or more patient (or whatever the intimation was) 30+ year-old fans...

Heck, if I still voice my support and appreciation for someone like Armando Benitez, then I think it'll take more than 3 sub-par weekends to head for the ledge with the hockey team. :-)



Post Edited (07-08-03 14:59)

[Greg Berge]

I don't think 30-year olds (or, gulp, 40-year olds) are any wiser than 20-year olds; they've just been on the roller coaster longer and have been dulled into greater acceptance of the jolts.  (See also: crushes, political delusions, etc...)  Patience and moderation are more of a scar than a badge.

When faced with a genuinely new situation, anyone has an equal chance of freaking out, regardless of age.

I doubt we'll have a three goalie rotation for long, if at all.  Coaches generally regard that as a morale nightmare.

This season will hopefully be the start of something great -- I only wish for people not to throw a fit if it is a modest start.

[ugarte]

Greg wrote:

I doubt we'll have a three goalie rotation for long, if at all.  Coaches generally regard that as a morale nightmare.

Not all coaches.  See Morris, Mark (Clarkson '88 - '02).