Local players in the pros

@Thirty-Four wrote:

@5 O.T. wrote:

Five Gopher players finished the regular season as their NHL teams leading scorer. :dup:

They are:
Phil Kessel (Tor) 82gp 37g 43a 80tp
Kyle Okposo (NYI) 71gp 27g 42a 69tp
Blake Wheeler (Wpg) 82gp 28g 41a 69tp
Thomas Vanek (Habs) 78gp 27g 41a 68tp
Nick Bjugstad (Flor) 76gp 16g 22a 38tp

Great job. :good2:

Flip side? Only one was a playoff team, and Vanek was a deadline add...

Play-offs notwithstanding, this has to be a first for Gopher alums. Vanek, Kessel and Wheeler have all led their NHL teams in scoring multiple times. But to have five Gopher alums lead their NHL team in scoring in the same season is something not too many schools could claim as an accomplishment, ever.

Has BC, Michigan, BU, Wisconsin, Denver or whioux alums ever accomplished anything like that in the same season?

@5 O.T. wrote:

@Thirty-Four wrote:

@5 O.T. wrote:

Five Gopher players finished the regular season as their NHL teams leading scorer. :dup:

They are:
Phil Kessel (Tor) 82gp 37g 43a 80tp
Kyle Okposo (NYI) 71gp 27g 42a 69tp
Blake Wheeler (Wpg) 82gp 28g 41a 69tp
Thomas Vanek (Habs) 78gp 27g 41a 68tp
Nick Bjugstad (Flor) 76gp 16g 22a 38tp

Great job. :good2:

Flip side? Only one was a playoff team, and Vanek was a deadline add...

Play-offs notwithstanding, this has to be a first for Gopher alums. Vanek, Kessel and Wheeler have all led their NHL teams in scoring multiple times. But to have five Gopher alums lead their NHL team in scoring in the same season is something not too many schools could claim as an accomplishment, ever.

Has BC, Michigan, BU, Wisconsin, Denver or whioux alums ever accomplished anything like that in the same season?

Looking at the list again, I just noticed how low Bjugstad's total was, and to be leading his team with that kind of total is pretty sad if you're a Panthers fan. Glad to see him do so well as a Rookie (not sure if he's technically a rookie since he played a couple games last year, but, I think of him as one) though

@Steve_MN wrote:

@5 O.T. wrote:

@Thirty-Four wrote:

@5 O.T. wrote:

Five Gopher players finished the regular season as their NHL teams leading scorer. :dup:

They are:
Phil Kessel (Tor) 82gp 37g 43a 80tp
Kyle Okposo (NYI) 71gp 27g 42a 69tp
Blake Wheeler (Wpg) 82gp 28g 41a 69tp
Thomas Vanek (Habs) 78gp 27g 41a 68tp
Nick Bjugstad (Flor) 76gp 16g 22a 38tp

Great job. :good2:

Flip side? Only one was a playoff team, and Vanek was a deadline add...

Play-offs notwithstanding, this has to be a first for Gopher alums. Vanek, Kessel and Wheeler have all led their NHL teams in scoring multiple times. But to have five Gopher alums lead their NHL team in scoring in the same season is something not too many schools could claim as an accomplishment, ever.

Has BC, Michigan, BU, Wisconsin, Denver or whioux alums ever accomplished anything like that in the same season?

Looking at the list again, I just noticed how low Bjugstad's total was, and to be leading his team with that kind of total is pretty sad if you're a Panthers fan. Glad to see him do so well as a Rookie (not sure if he's technically a rookie since he played a couple games last year, but, I think of him as one) though

He was still technically a rookie this year, and will probably finish top 5 in the Calder voting.

The Panthers were atrocious this year, but all their fans absolutely love Bjugstad.

Watching Bjugstad this season made me think of a younger Ryan Getzlaf.

@Thirty-Four wrote:

Watching Bjugstad this season made me think of a younger Ryan Getzlaf.

He doesn't have the vision or hands of Getzlaf, but he's bigger and probably has a better shot.

Alt recalled by the Flyers.

Vannelli scored a playoff goal for MH.

Patterson had 54 saves last night in a win for the Denver Cutthroats in their playoff series.

@Chris Eckes wrote:

@5 O.T. wrote:

Thomas Vanek with the Hat trick for the Habs. :dup:
[youtube:1bycp3hz]

I can't wait for somebody to say that the Wild shouldn't sign this guy. Just can't wait for it.

GO GET HIM.

We shouldn't sign him.

We'd be better off saving our money for our current players who will cost us more in the future.

Although if recent reports are any indication the Wild and Leopold are very interested in getting Vanek no matter what.

T-Van is also about to void his health insurance by playing Boston. Let's make sure he's still alive after to talk about his free agency.

@Biddco wrote:

@Chris Eckes wrote:

@5 O.T. wrote:

Thomas Vanek with the Hat trick for the Habs. :dup:
[youtube:2g8flycu]

I can't wait for somebody to say that the Wild shouldn't sign this guy. Just can't wait for it.

GO GET HIM.

We shouldn't sign him.

We'd be better off saving our money for our current players who will cost us more in the future.

Although if recent reports are any indication the Wild and Leopold are very interested in getting Vanek no matter what.

I'm hearing that it will come down to either the Wild or Blues, so I'm a bit conflicted whether to root for the guy who beat us in '89 working for Minnesota in Chick Fletcher or the guy whom avenged that in '02 working for the Blues in Jordan Leopold.

I hear Haula had a decent game tonight.

@dxmnkd316 wrote:

I hear Haula had a decent game tonight.

So did Ballard. :dup:

@Beauner wrote:

@dxmnkd316 wrote:

I hear Haula had a decent game tonight.

So did Ballard. :dup:

Couple of sore Hawks woke up cursing #2 this morning.

Paul Holmgren has a little different job description.

link

Congrats to Nick Bjugstad for graduating with his class. Good job finishing his degree while playing in the NHL!

Impressive

Nice to hear. I always figured turning pro and getting your degree later sounds good but probably rarely happens.

@Norm wrote:

Nice to hear. I always figured turning pro and getting your degree later sounds good but probably rarely happens.

????? There are plenty who get there degree in the off-season. Most stay at least three seasons in the first place, though.

While the bulk of this certainly fits in the NHL season thread, the last player to wear a Ranger's sweater to accomplish what Ryan McDonagh just did is in the HOF in Toronto. link

Haula's jaw broken

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/260998521.htm l" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

@gopher6 wrote:

Haula's jaw broken

http://www.startribune.com/sports/blogs/260998521.htm l" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Haula...EASILY my favorite player on the Wild. This just gives me another reason to love his play, he ain't bitching about it! I liked him as a Gopher but he was just awesome down the stretch with the Wild.

This NHL.com re-draft has Haula in the first round in 2009. Quite the climb.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=722934&cmpid=nhl-tw t" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ryan stoa off to ussr.

@sec 16 row16 seat 16 17 wrote:

Ryan stoa off to ussr.

http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/26/report-caps-stoa-bolts-to-russia /"> http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2014/06/26/report-caps-stoa-bolts-to-russia/

Not sure if it is a done deal. And if Stoa is going back to the U.S.S.R. he has mastered time travel.

Minnesotans in the 2014 draft
2, 47 Ryan Collins, Columbus
2, 51 Jack Dougherty, Nashville
3, 69, Jack Glover, Winnipeg
3, 84, Keegan Iverson, New York Rangers
4, 110, Austin Poganski, St. Louis
4, 120, Steve Johnson, Los Angeles
5, 129, C.J. Franklin, Winnipeg
5, 134, Shane Gersich, Washington
5, 136, Chase Perry, Detroit
5, 141, Luc Snuggerud, Chicago
5, 142, Tyler Nanne, New York Rangers
5, 143, Miguel Fiddler, Florida
6, 153, Tyler Vesel, Edmonton
6, 159, Steven Spinner, Washington
7, 208, Jack Ramsey, Chicago

A few surprises in those drafted, the order, and those undrafted. Also, a little low from what I was expecting in the 15 taken with some solid players left off, including Slattery, Malmquist, Yon, and Sheehy.

Am I missing anybody?

@LeoPohl wrote:

Am I missing anybody?

Forest Lake's C.J. Franklin got picked. Don't recall the round or team.

@Iceburg wrote:

@LeoPohl wrote:

Am I missing anybody?

Forest Lake's C.J. Franklin got picked. Don't recall the round or team.

5th round by Winnipeg; he will be playing for MSU-Mankato next year. The Mavs have 5 drafted players on their roster now.

@g_manpucker wrote:

The Mavs have 5 drafted players on their roster now.

More than the four for UMD and SCSU, I think.

No qualifying offer from VAN for Jordan Schroeder, cut loose to UFAdom. Ouch!

@jrthomer wrote:

No qualifying offer from VAN for Jordan Schroeder, cut loose to UFAdom. Ouch!

Not unexpected. There are dwindling roster spots, and his injury at the beginning of last season kept him mostly out of the line up, and it just killed his chances. I've watched this kid since mites, and his mobility is unreal. But he loses physical battles and just isn't one of those guys with an agitator mentality. He has plenty of skill but that isn't enough at this level. He's not pretty enough to be Patrick Kane and needs to add some grit to his game.

He's made damn good money for a 23 year old kid, and his career - wherever it leads him - will allow him to earn plenty more.

@g_manpucker wrote:

@Iceburg wrote:

@LeoPohl wrote:

Am I missing anybody?

Forest Lake's C.J. Franklin got picked. Don't recall the round or team.

5th round by Winnipeg; he will be playing for MSU-Mankato next year. The Mavs have 5 drafted players on their roster now.

Thank you.

@streakygopher wrote:

@jrthomer wrote:

No qualifying offer from VAN for Jordan Schroeder, cut loose to UFAdom. Ouch!

Not unexpected. There are dwindling roster spots, and his injury at the beginning of last season kept him mostly out of the line up, and it just killed his chances. I've watched this kid since mites, and his mobility is unreal. But he loses physical battles and just isn't one of those guys with an agitator mentality. He has plenty of skill but that isn't enough at this level. He's not pretty enough to be Patrick Kane and needs to add some grit to his game.

He's made damn good money for a 23 year old kid, and his career - wherever it leads him - will allow him to earn plenty more.

Considering the Canucks situation, I would think they could use all the offense they could get. There's pretty much nothing for scoring other than the Sedins, and as we saw last season, if you lose one you lose both -- they're essentially one player in two bodies.

Toby Peterson steps behind the bench.

http://theahl.com/falcons-name-petersen-assistant-coach-p19282 8"> http://theahl.com/falcons-name-petersen-assistant-coach-p192828

Jim O'Brien moving on.

http://www.wbng.com/sports/b-sens/OBrien-Lawson-among-B-Sens-not-re-signed-265466911.htm l"> http://www.wbng.com/sports/b-sens/OBrien-Lawson-among-B-Sens-not-re-signed-265466911.html

Mike Hoeffel to Springfield.

http://theahl.com/falcons-sign-hoeffel-labrie-p19297 2"> http://theahl.com/falcons-sign-hoeffel-labrie-p192972

Remember me?

@LeoPohl wrote:

Remember me?

Nice going, Justin! :good2:

Brian Rafalski to be inducted with his head coach. Also two others. link

I say well deserved for Brian. I can't speak for the other three given that Sauer was a bit before my time, and I have no clue about women's hockey, let alone NY hockey. The only thing I remember about Jeff Sauer is he had highly erratic teams at Wisconsin in the '90s from season to season, not that unlike his successor, Mike Eaves.

Ryan Potulny to Hartford.

http://theahl.com/wolf-pack-sign-potulny-to-ahl-deal-p19324 8"> http://theahl.com/wolf-pack-sign-potulny-to-ahl-deal-p193248

Not the same thing as spending a day with the Stanley Cup.

http://www.texasstarshockey.com/articles/a-day-with-the-cup-travis-mori n"> http://www.texasstarshockey.com/articles/a-day-with-the-cup-travis-morin

Blake Wheeler will wear an A in Winnipeg this season.

Just saw on the Islanders page, that Ness cleared Waivers and was assigned to Bridgeport. Had to see that coming with the addition of Leddy and Boychuck.

Dang, it ain't even April yet, either. :biggrin2:

Does this mean Okposo is only half despised now?

Mark Alt recalled by the Flyers, should make his NHL debut tomorrow night vs. Detroit.

@Cardinal wrote:

Mark Alt recalled by the Flyers, should make his NHL debut tomorrow night vs. Detroit.

So the 96th alum to make it to the NHL and 105th to play major league hockey.

Edit: Correction - not in the line-up and no mention of him as a call-up or on the roster anywhere I can find.

Nice article on Jordan Schroeder.

http://www.iowawild.com/fancentral/releases/?article_id=47 4"> http://www.iowawild.com/fancentral/releases/?article_id=474

Seth Helgeson called up.

http://blog.timesunion.com/hockey/a-devils-defenseman-helgeson-gets-first-nhl-callup/18496/

leopold to the bluejackets

Stu is making his MN Wild debut this afternoon.