Official 2024-25 Utah HC Season Discussion.

[Arizonatah]

Don't know how anyone can claim BA didn't get support for injuries.

I thought Maatta was an excellent trade to help with the injuries on D. The defense got so much better after his arrival. Glad he extended. DiSimone has also been good depth when he has been called up too. Mermis sucked though.

 

[Coyotedroppings]

If Utah made the playoffs, they would probably lose, but I don't think they would be blown out. They might have lost in four or five games but I would think they could have made it difficult. The sooner a team gets to the playoffs and gains that experience the better.

That doesn’t take into account who and what we are. A more competitive showing next year will serve them better.

 

[Coyotedroppings]

We have to remember the likely steps for this team, if the rebuild works, so far we have a young team that has improved and young players with "potential". Some players can regress, like Maccelli/Crouse, it could happen next year with Cooley/Gunts.

Step 1 to validation is making the playoffs, we haven't done it yet, we are all hoping its next year. Keep in mind we need a solid 10+ point improvement to get in. We improved roughly 10 points this year, but it is way easier to go from 77 to 87 points then it is from 87 to 97. If we get in next year, we are likely to lose in the first round, that is how it works with a young team. In year or two or three, we likely win a round, and then we will see what happens, assuming this works.

I was hoping we would make the playoffs this year, the team needs to take that next step, sorry they weren't really close. I am tired of the "meaningful games" nebulous goal being set, give BA credit we kind of hit it. I am glad BA is saying our goal is to make the playoffs next year, funny thing about goals is you don't hit them if they aren't set.

 

[Jakey53]

That doesn’t take into account who and what we are. A more competitive showing next year will serve them better.

I disagree. Sooner you have playoff experience the better.

 

[TheLegend]

Don't know how anyone can claim BA didn't get support for injuries.

I thought Maatta was an excellent trade to help with the injuries on D. The defense got so much better after his arrival. Glad he extended. DiSimone has also been good depth when he has been called up too. Mermis sucked though.

The key was not to sacrifice any of the rebuild plan for the sake of covering for injuries.

Ex: It kept MavLam where he should have been to begin with.

 

[Coyotedroppings]

I disagree. Sooner you have playoff experience the better.

If they were a better team, I’d agree.

 

[Jakey53]

If they were a better team, I’d agree.

Iv they were a better team they would be in the playoffs. Let's say there were no injuries on D this year and Utah snuck into the playoffs, you would rather they miss?

 

[cobra427]

Iv they were a better team they would be in the playoffs. Let's say there were no injuries on D this year and Utah snuck into the playoffs, you would rather they miss?

Exactly, fans that think we are going to magically be a great team and go on a playoff run the first year we make it in, whenever that is, are dreaming. Most first year playoff teams lose in the first round for a few years until they break through, Oilers/Leafs, etc....Just making it in is a giant step, I'm hoping its next year. BA would even say its a step by step process, we won't get to skip steps.

 

[Mangosteen]

Ohhhh I just want to get to the show! Odds are we are out in round 1 but anything can happen, just make it to the show

 

[Jormungandr]

Anyone who thought this team should’ve been a playoff team this season is delusional. When two of your best/most important players are sophomores, and you are heavily relying on them to carry the offensive load, you are setting yourself up for disappointment.

And when these two sophomores are already better than the player who has been your second best offensive player (Schmaltz) for the better part of the past 7 seasons, it goes to show how offensively challenged and talent starved this team has been.

We have a top line that is made up of those 2 sophomores, and our one true current first line player. A second line with a major hole currently being filled by freakin Kailer Yamamoto, and a center who should be a third liner. This is not the makeup of a true playoff team. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that this is not a playoff team. Good growth season for some key youngsters though.

I think the third line is fine but needs to produce slightly higher next season. (Crouse and Doan). Fourth line is also fine, but we need to replace Bjugstad.

 

[Coyotedroppings]

Iv they were a better team they would be in the playoffs. Let's say there were no injuries on D this year and Utah snuck into the playoffs, you would rather they miss?

You really do ask some asinine questions Jakey. That hypothetical ship sailed with the injuries.

 

[Coyotedroppings]

Exactly, fans that think we are going to magically be a great team and go on a playoff run the first year we make it in, whenever that is, are dreaming. Most first year playoff teams lose in the first round for a few years until they break through, Oilers/Leafs, etc....Just making it in is a giant step, I'm hoping its next year. BA would even say its a step by step process, we won't get to skip steps.

Speaking of hypothetical.... who are these fans you speak of?

"Just making it in is a giant step"
Correct, a step this team isn't ready for. I commend you on acknowledging it's a step by step process that BA would agree on....... maybe your ready to admit that your "formula" for a successful rebuild isn't the only means of achievement.

 

[Mangosteen]

Anyone who thought this team should’ve been a playoff team this season is delusional.

We will be about 5 to 10 points out of the playoffs. We had numerous key injuries for extended periods of time with tones of trade capital. We were hemorrhaging man lost games and BA put a bandaid with Matta. He has done well but BA could of done so much more. We missed the playoffs but it's not the players fault they played above expectation. It was our glorious leaders fault. All we needed to do was make it to the show

 

[Arizonatah]

Crouse and Maccelli played waaaay below expectations this season. Hurt the team just as much as the injuries did, IMO. We needed them to do their part and they disappeared instead.

Crouse has 24 fewer points this season. Huge decline. Not gonna bother to look up Maccelli's stats since he lost his place on roster he was so bad compared to years past.

But I guess they get a free pass lol

 

[Jakey53]

Anyone who thought this team should’ve been a playoff team this season is delusional. When two of your best/most important players are sophomores, and you are heavily relying on them to carry the offensive load, you are setting yourself up for disappointment.

And when these two sophomores are already better than the player who has been your second best offensive player (Schmaltz) for the better part of the past 7 seasons, it goes to show how offensively challenged and talent starved this team has been.

We have a top line that is made up of those 2 sophomores, and our one true current first line player. A second line with a major hole currently being filled by freakin Kailer Yamamoto, and a center who should be a third liner. This is not the makeup of a true playoff team. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that this is not a playoff team. Good growth season for some key youngsters though.

I think the third line is fine but needs to produce slightly higher next season. (Crouse and Doan). Fourth line is also fine, but we need to replace Bjugstad.

I agree with most of what you are saying. We have too many bottom six players and not enough top six players. It will be an interesting off season.

 

[Jakey53]

We will be about 5 to 10 points out of the playoffs. We had numerous key injuries for extended periods of time with tones of trade capital. We were hemorrhaging man lost games and BA put a bandaid with Matta. He has done well but BA could of done so much more. We missed the playoffs but it's not the players fault they played above expectation. It was our glorious leaders fault. All we needed to do was make it to the show

I don't blame BA what happened this year. I think overall he did a pretty good job. BA's job gets tough next year. Let's see what he is made of.

 

[Jakey53]

You really do ask some asinine questions Jakey. That hypothetical ship sailed with the injuries.

Only to you.

 

[rt]

Assuming they grab another two pts that’s a 16% improvement from last season. Which was a 10% improvement over the season before. Which was a 23% improvement from the season before.

Going from 57 to 70 to 77 to 89 is a very good thing.

 

[rt]

Even if we’re just 10% better next season, that’s 98pts and we’re in.

 

[Schemp]

Even if we’re just 10% better next season, that’s 98pts and we’re in.

Need to change some of those loser points into wins! Next season's roster is so close..., just a little tweaking!
I believe I was off by a year when I said President's Cup. That's just me having confidence in GMBA's roster-building abilities.

 

[Mangosteen]

Great to hear from you guys... I even almost agree with you too

 

[TheLegend]

Iv they were a better team they would be in the playoffs. Let's say there were no injuries on D this year and Utah snuck into the playoffs, you would rather they miss?

That's a which came first post......the chicken or the egg???

 

[TheLegend]

Crouse and Maccelli played waaaay below expectations this season. Hurt the team just as much as the injuries did, IMO. We needed them to do their part and they disappeared instead.

Crouse has 24 fewer points this season. Huge decline. Not gonna bother to look up Maccelli's stats since he lost his place on roster he was so bad compared to years past.

But I guess they get a free pass lol

Maccelli I agree.....

Crouse was still contributing in other places when it wasn't on the score sheet. But he also got snake bit with all the "near misses" he had and it got in his head. Took sitting out a few games for him to realize it.

 

[Arizonatah]

Maccelli I agree.....



Crouse was still contributing in other places when it wasn't on the score sheet. But he also got snake bit with all the "near misses" he had and it got in his head. Took sitting out a few games for him to realize it.

Fair. Some more points would've been nice because now we're talking about Crouse a bit like we used to Hayton (contributing everywhere else but the score sheet.)

Crouse did take a big step backwards until the latter part of the season. Definitely didn't play above expectation as was suggested. Hopefully he starts next season the way he's ending this one. I've really like his game lately.

 

[TheLegend]

Fair. Some more points would've been nice because now we're talking about Crouse a bit like we used to Hayton (contributing everywhere else but the score sheet.)

Crouse did take a big step backwards until the latter part of the season. Definitely didn't play above expectation as was suggested. Hopefully he starts next season the way he's ending this one. I've really like his game lately.

Agree..... Crouse is going to have to really come out of the gates next season. I know he's always been a slow starter but that new contract and A on his jersey literally demands he has to step up.