If we're comparing Iowa to last year;
Petan = Boyd
Lucchini = Jones
Khaira < Gaunce
Fogarty < Johnson
Butcher < Crotty
X < Cecconni
Lettieri/Mermis/Shaw combined for 24 games last year, they don't count. Shore's probably a regular from now on so I didn't count him. So overall a much improved group and there were zero graduates to the NHL team, meaning that should be an improved group as well.
The problem IMO is the 3rd year pro group. 25 year old Sammy Walker, not very good. Top-40 pick Ryan O'Rourke, not very good. 3rd round pick Michael Milne, average at best. Newly acquired top-10 pick David Jiricek, behind schedule. Toporowski, undrafted for a reason. Should of been Firstov's 3rd season, back in Russia. Would be year 3 for Novak, is he even playing hockey anymore?
Year 4 group? Clarke's underperforming since getting healthy and Raska was probably debated on qualifying.
As for Buium, I would hope he's playing pro hockey next season, there's not much for him to work on at the collegiate level. He'll have to send Chisholm to the pressbox for a spot most likely if we're healthy, I don't think that's as tall of a task as most.