NeutralZone Ranks Boston College Hockey As #2 Most Impacted By Early Departures This Year

It should come as no surprise at this point that Boston College's prospects for next season have been heavily stung by early departures. What might come as a surprise to a BC fan is that there's another team that might have it even worse.

NeutralZone.net, a site covering hockey prospects, looked at all 22 D1 programs that lost at least one early departure so far this offseason and ranked them in order of most impacted.

Topping the list is Michigan, which loses their entire first line and all of their top four scorers. The "C-C-M" line - freshman phenom Kyle Connor along with juniors JT Compher and Tyler Motte - tore up the Big Ten this season and powered Michigan to an excellent season. They're all gone, as is #8 overall draft pick sophomore Zach Werenski, who was arguably the third highest-profile freshman in college hockey in 2014-15 after Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin.

Junior defenseman Michael Downing rounds out the losses for Michigan.

They rank BC at #2, noting that BC is hurt everywhere by its 5 early departures - up front, on the blue line, and in net - and could face even more impact if Ian McCoshen, Colin White or Zach Sanford join the exodus.

Only three other schools lost multiple early departures according to this list: Minnesota (3), Quinnipiac (2) and North Dakota (2).

A benefit for BC compared to their peers is that they didn't lose nearly as much to graduation, but either way there will likely be a dropoff next season as the Eagles integrate 9 freshmen in to the program (maybe more if they add any late surprises to the class).

You'll notice two names that are absent from this list: Boston University and Notre Dame. Despite having talent-laden rosters, both have avoided any early departures to this point, and are set to bring back most of their team. They're probably your two early favorites in Hockey East next year.