60 Days. 60 Teams. 600 Words (or Less): Michigan

Michigan

2018-19 Record: 13-16-7 (9-10-5, T-5th in Big Ten)
Head Coach: Mel Pearson, 3rd Year
Top returning scorer: Will Lockwood (16G-15A)
Top returning goaltenders: Strauss Mann (So.) and Hayden Lavigne (Sr.)

In an alternate universe, there's a world where Michigan made back-to-back Frozen Fours in 2018 & 2019. It's a world where things went the Wolverines' way, where injuries didn't affect key players and the team played with the same hunger and desperation it had during a hot second half. It's likely a world where Jack Hughes accelerated and joined his brother.

But that isn't this world.

In this universe, the Wolverines return to a familiar spot. Replacing elite underclassmen with elite freshmen. Needing to move forward when things don't go the way it seems on paper.

Michigan enters 2019-20 off a Big Ten sixth-place finish and missing the NCAA Tournament a year after being in the Frozen Four. In a reminder no two seasons are the same, the Wolverines, returning the majority of its core, was unable to get the same amount of goaltending, offense, health and second half bounces.

What's New: The constant cycle continues. Two first-round NHL draft picks are gone, replaced by two first-round NHL draft picks.

Cam York (14th overall to Philadelphia), the highest collegiate defenseman selected, replaces Quinn Hughes as the first-rounder on the blue line. Forward John Beecher (30th overall to Boston) replaces Josh Norris, who along with Hughes signed a pro contract after his sophomore season.

They aren't the only Wolverines going to the NHL. Assistant coach Brian Wiseman took the same job with Edmonton.

Pearson also continues bringing in grad transfers as RPI leading scorer Jacob Hayhurst and BU defender Shane Switzer join Michigan.

Closing Thoughts: Undoubtedly, Michigan will want to bounce back from a disappointing season by its standards. Even with injuries to Norris - the second straight season a key forward suffers a season-ending injury at the WJC - and Hughes late being out of its control, the Wolverines expect to be contending. Especially when a truly dynamic defenseman like Hughes, who so much of Michigan's play ran through, returns for a second year.

Overall, Pearson's first season went about as well as it could. His second saw a 3-8 record in one-goal games and two goaltenders with sub-.900% save percentages despite outshooting opponents by 7.5 shots per game.

Strauss Mann was better (.906%) in the second half. Losing Norris, who until injured found the consistency expected from a top collegian, hurts, but keeping Will Lockwood and Luke Martin is a bonus. Same with another year of growth for both Pastujov brothers and Jake Slaker.

Beecher should be entertaining. York brings offensive production from the blue line, which at times was heavily caught out on odd-man rushes. After a snap back to reality, the Wolverines get the chance to show which Michigan season - Frozen Four run or sixth place - represents the Wolverines under Pearson.

Or maybe it's a bit of both. Given the slim margin between success and failure, consider how close the middle of the Big Ten was to one another.

Michigan gave up a late extra attacker goal to Wisconsin to send the regular-season finale to overtime. Each of the four options to end overtime (i.e. Michigan wins in OT, loses in 3-on-3/shootout, etc.) provided Michigan with a different standing in the conference ranging from third place to sixth.

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