Mike Chambers Blog has several interesting tidbits this week. Perhaps no news more important for next season than John Ryder's decision to return as a "Redshirt" Senior. Chambers details the decision and what it will mean on the blueline next year.Chambers also talks about Dustin Jackson's decision to graduate and forego his "Redshirt" Senior season.
In the same posting Chambers notes that Matt Donovan was benched last Saturday night for the first period by the coaching staff for breaking his stick the night before. Chambers mentions the incident and Donovan's inconsistant play at times this season. There is no doubt that Dono could be one of the best players in the WCHA and has a solid shot at making the NHL someday.
26 comments:
Dono is much like the team itself, you don't know what you are going to get from night to night. Too much grandstanding, way too many penalties and too many mental lapses. I hope he isn't looking past DU at the moment because that would be a huge mistake.
He certainly has the talent but the year we have only seen flashes of it. I appreciate an offensive minded D-man but you do have to remember what Job 1 is.
Sounds like Gwoz is getting frustrated with Donovan; I know I am. His propensity for bad decisions, often leading to 2-on-1 breaks or breakaways is routine. Don't shoot into that forward's shin guards, man! And why are you pinching when we have 3rd period lead?
He's talented, no doubt. But he has a lot to learn about positioning and decision-making. I would happily sacrifice some his points to see him play more like John Ryder.....
I have a feeling that as Donovan was growing up in Oklahoma that he, considering the competition, probably looked like a young Bobby Orr as I'm sure he skated circles around his competition. As soon as he accepts the fact that he is indeed not the second coming of Bobby Orr and puts his obvious gifts to use in a practical way at this level we will then have an amazing hockey player, as opposed to an amazingly talented guy who thinks he is an amazing player.
He is at least making more use of his talent than Adam Murray, to be honest.
I am not surprised that Ryder is making use of his redshirt opportunity. He is just now roughly the same age as Dusty was as a freshman, which is why I am also not terribly surprised that Dusty did not use his -- I think he is already 25 (or just about to be) and probably wants to just get on with life. I can only think of Erik Andersson and maybe Ken MacArthur as the only Pios in the last 25 years that have dressed as a 25 year old.
When Donovan was paired with Cam Fowler & the US won Gold at the 2010 World Juniors, Donovan was fantastic.
Donovans partner on the blueline at the Tourney, Cam Fowler, showed how good he was and went on to play for the Anaheim Ducks this season. Fowler has racked up a ton of minutes, scored lots of points, but even he is -23 this season. That's the worst on the team by a ton.
Its possible that like many "star" players Donovan is frustrated by the level of play of his teammates at DU and its manifesting itself with mistakes.
But whatever the issues, DU only goes as far as the big guns take them during the playoffs. The benches shorten, elite players rise to the surface and mistakes are amplified.
As far as strictly personality, I will say that Matt has all the off-ice pieces to make his NHL dreams happen. Personable, he's not a jerk, he seems respectful of everyone he meets and appreciates where he is and what he has the potential to become. A traditional hockey "Gentleman" in my opinion. I think his game will continue to get better. But the intangibles - are there.
Ryder coming back will be huge since we're already losing Nutini.
I love Ryder's game; a physical stay at home dman. He finishes every check. He's a throwback blueliner. Doesn't get the acclaim that soft puck moving dman get.diste
Donovan is a fine player who will improve if he chooses to learn from the coaches. He has tons of talent but needs more help in his decision making, Breaking his stick is likely a sign that he really does care.
Glad Rydee is returning, DU should be in good shape next year with Mayfield coming in and Nutini graduating.
Most of the writers that have shared their ballots have Donovan on 2nd team All-WCHA. Don't know who they've been watching since January.
Ryder is the only Pio that hits somebody with authority.D.U. is a finese team but having a couple of more Ryder players would be a big help.
maybe theyve been watching the same dono whose had 10 points in 14 games and minus 1 in the past six weeks. sounds pretty bad to me too with the outstanding goaltending weve had.
If he's -1 in roughly the same period as he has had 10 points, that means he's been on the ice for at least 11 goals against in the past 6 weeks. Not exactly what you want in one of your top defensemen.
That's the problem- people look at his points and not his +/-. How many goals is he singlehandedly responsible for? Isn't that job #1 as a DEFENSEman?
i guess this team should just have defensive dmen that hit someone every shift with no offensive talent whatsoever and maybe the fans would all be happy.
The fans might be happy, but the NHL is looking for big puck moving defensemen who can skate.
It's not that offensive talent doesn't matter, especially to a team built like DU, but that it shouldn't come at the expense of goals that have been critical to some of our losses.
Dono is a special player,Pios are lucky to have him.That said, we often hold players like him to a higher standard. He is under the microscope each and every shift. He's a kid and his game is not fully developed.Remain calm.
Well said.
Great news about Ryder. I really like his game and enjoy watching him knock people on their can. He is the one consistent physical presence on the team.
Didn't Colborne have a quote last year about Ryder--something about the person who most scares you on the ice?
Captain next year - Ryder or Shore??
Shore?, he'll be long gone by mid-april.
Ryder should wear the C next year. Shore an Zucker with the As.
What about Lee? He has an A now.
Lee has been a disappointment this year.
Count me as a John Lee fan.
Lee's stats are right where they've always been at DU 3g 9a +3.
Clearly being handed the "A" after Jesse's injury was a major vote of confidence.
Seems that once the playoffs begin, Lee's role always increases because he is so reliable. Will be interesting to see.
Uh, yeah, Lee has been so disappointing...since only a disappointing player would get upgraded to an 'A' during the season.
He competes hard and has been an obvious, vocal leader for this team since at least halfway through his sophomore season.
I fully expect Lee to wear the 'C' next season, with 'A's going to Ryder, DShore and possibly Zucker.
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