Haven’t commented in a long time, but been following the discussions. Did anyone notice Max Plante has his Elite Prospect profile committed to UND next season? That doesn’t make sense to me, leaving his home team along with his brothers?
he has verbally confirmed he’s coming back to Duluth to play with his brothers, including to Detroit as well as to Elite Prospects. It’s an error in all likelihood in typing n instead of m
I figured it was an error. Based my experience with EP though, it has to be verified. Hence why I asked. I gotcha on the “N” rather than the “M” mistake. I mean, the N is next to the M on a keyboard. They should probably fix that haha.
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Daxon Rudolph to DU
Would be funny if Denver faceplants immediately now that they’ve started building a much more star/top-heavy roster
Would be funny if Denver faceplants immediately now that they’ve started building a much more star/top-heavy roster
are they any more top heavy than usual? Kind of feels like a usual Denver mix
Would be funny if Denver faceplants immediately now that they’ve started building a much more star/top-heavy roster
are they any more top heavy than usual? Kind of feels like a usual Denver mix
Kind of. Zeev Buium (12th overall) is the only 1st-round pick who’s played for Denver this decade.
When Ryan Lin and Daxon Rudolph come in, Carle will have 2x more first-round picks on his roster than he’s ever had before. But that’s more of a technicality and I get what you mean. Not sure how the rest of their lineup will look.
Would be funny if Denver faceplants immediately now that they’ve started building a much more star/top-heavy roster
are they any more top heavy than usual? Kind of feels like a usual Denver mix
Kind of. Zeev Buium (12th overall) is the only 1st-round pick who’s played for Denver this decade.
When Ryan Lin and Daxon Rudolph come in, Carle will have 2x more first-round picks on his roster than he’s ever had before. But that’s more of a technicality and I get what you mean. Not sure how the rest of their lineup will look.
Denver has only had five first round selections suit up for their program, which is hard to believe. These two are a bit of a departure.
Would be funny if Denver faceplants immediately now that they’ve started building a much more star/top-heavy roster
are they any more top heavy than usual? Kind of feels like a usual Denver mix
Kind of. Zeev Buium (12th overall) is the only 1st-round pick who’s played for Denver this decade.
When Ryan Lin and Daxon Rudolph come in, Carle will have 2x more first-round picks on his roster than he’s ever had before. But that’s more of a technicality and I get what you mean. Not sure how the rest of their lineup will look.
Denver has only had five first round selections suit up for their program, which is hard to believe. These two are a bit of a departure.
I didn’t know it was only 5 all-time, that is crazy. Their NHL alumni list is decent at first glance, but is extremely impressive when you account for that lack of 1st round picks.
Would be funny if Denver faceplants immediately now that they’ve started building a much more star/top-heavy roster
are they any more top heavy than usual? Kind of feels like a usual Denver mix
Kind of. Zeev Buium (12th overall) is the only 1st-round pick who’s played for Denver this decade.
When Ryan Lin and Daxon Rudolph come in, Carle will have 2x more first-round picks on his roster than he’s ever had before. But that’s more of a technicality and I get what you mean. Not sure how the rest of their lineup will look.
Denver has only had five first round selections suit up for their program, which is hard to believe. These two are a bit of a departure.
I didn’t know it was only 5 all-time, that is crazy. Their NHL alumni list is decent at first glance, but is extremely impressive when you account for that lack of 1st round picks.
that is fascinating and not something I realized either tbh
Wait a second, does this mean targeting a bunch of first rounders isn’t necessary?
It really depends how sustainable you think Denver's model is going forward. This was the second time I can think of where they won a championship mainly on the back of their goalie stealing not only the game vs Wisconsin but also against Michigan where they got outshot a little over 2:1. The championship they won vs Mankato was even more ridiculous from what I remember, Denver was down 1-0 getting outshot 18-8 through 2 and something like 22-8 until Denver scored the first goal. This was before CHN had expected goals data but it almost certainly was skewed in the Cows favor for 3/4 of the game and Chrona was outstanding. 2024 was a bit more even but their goalie stood on his head to shut out BC, I want to say he made some type of ridiculous save late in that game but I'd have to watch it back.Wait a second, does this mean targeting a bunch of first rounders isn’t necessary?
What Carle has done is impressive and he does get his team to buy into/play a very sound defensive game. He obviously can recognize good goaltending as well, it seems like Denver has always been able to do that going back as long as I can remember. It's not entirely luck but you do have to wonder how many more times they can defy the odds, especially as it pertains to goaltending. I realize those teams do play a bit more open and that can make it more difficult for goalies, I also do think letting your goalies get in a rhythm by giving up some easier shots can be helpful (vs only letting up quality chances but fewer shots), some of what they're doing makes sense from a goalie's perspective. At the same time, who's to say that Michigan, Michigan State, the Gophers, or some of the other blue bloods can't also find a high end goalie and finally match Denver in that regard? If some of those teams finally figure out how to equalize that position then Denver's entire model is chalked imo (assuming they aren't drastically improving in some other area or there's something I'm overlooking).
On a side note this is probably my biggest gripe with the Gophers over the years, outside of Wilcox (and we all remember what happened vs Union) the Gophers' goaltending hasn't been competitive compared to teams like Denver. I think Motzko did a better job of recruiting (or more accurately using the transfer portal) goalies than Lucia but for the most part LDP is the only goalie I can think of that could (maybe?) pull off what Denver's goalies have been doing consistently.
I think Motzko did a better job of recruiting (or more accurately using the transfer portal) goalies than Lucia
Hard to say. Closer is really the only goalie who ever had sustained multi-year success under Bob. Moe was a bust; Laffer and Robson were one-year wonders for us (+Souliere to a lesser extent), and we always had a carousel of random guys like Barto, Boynton, Airey, Kautz behind our starter who never turned into anything. Although Close's journey to becoming starter does counter-balance that I suppose.
Agreed, the point was more that Lucia's teams had too many years where the goalies were an Achilles heal or just nothing special. Like losing to North Dakota in a regional on a wraparound that Frazee let in shouldn't happen. Guessing they don't lose to Holy Cross either with better goaltending. Then after that you had the years where the team was just bad by Gopher standards up until the frozen four with Patterson who was an average goalie, then Wilcox, then a bunch of mid goaltending again (among other issues with recruiting going south, it wasn't entirely on the goalies obviously but they weren't anything special). I suppose I could be underrating someone like Robson but you get the idea.
That one year of Kangas was pretty special but even he came back to earth against BC in the regional (I didn't get to watch any of that game and don't remember much) and every season after that. At the very least that put an end to us having to watch Frazee let in another goal from the red line or beyond.
At the very least that put an end to us having to watch Frazee let in another goal from the red line or beyond.
well... this did happen again vs. Long Island
Well once is better than three times 😆At the very least that put an end to us having to watch Frazee let in another goal from the red line or beyond.
well... this did happen again vs. Long Island
yeah guess I've taken for granted how goaltending was consistently steady but not elite under Bob.
I'm actually not old enough to remember any of the 2000's Lucia squads that fell short. When I was a kid I only saw Wilcox, then Schierhorn start every single game for 4 years each and both performed quite well. So my baseline for Gopher goalies was probably super distorted ha.
I do really wish I could've seen Kangas play- I grew up in Rochester and despite us being the 3rd largest city in MN, very few Roch kids have ever been impactful Gopher hockey players. Zmolek's kids ended up playing for Mankato, Bemidji, and UND. But people back home do still talk about the Alex Kangas show lol.
yeah guess I've taken for granted how goaltending was consistently steady but not elite under Bob.
I'm actually not old enough to remember any of the 2000's Lucia squads that fell short. When I was a kid I only saw Wilcox, then Schierhorn start every single game for 4 years each and both performed quite well. So my baseline for Gopher goalies was probably super distorted ha.
I do really wish I could've seen Kangas play- I grew up in Rochester and despite us being the 3rd largest city in MN, very few Roch kids have ever been impactful Gopher hockey players. Zmolek's kids ended up playing for Mankato, Bemidji, and UND. But people back home do still talk about the Alex Kangas show lol.
He was outstanding that one season, part of that was the team embracing low event hockey and winning low scoring games but he had a lot of big saves down the stretch (only to lose the WCHA final to... Denver). After that he was just your average goalie for the most part and eventually was replaced by Patterson senior year.
Admittedly I didn't watch much of the Briggs/Frazee years either, the year of the Wheeler goal I barely got to watch the team but was at the game where he let in that goal from the opposite goal line vs North Dakota (gophers were up 3-1 until he started pulling a Frazee). That was my freshman year and first team sorta following the team but I was just busy with everything else (and missed the chance to get season tickets). That year ended on the aforementioned wrap around. Frazee played in that game over Briggs (presumably?) because they played back to back games but he had significantly worse stats on the year.
The year before was Holy Cross, they outshot HC by 10 and lost, I don't have any way to rewatch that one but I have a hard time imagining that Briggs outplayed HC's goalie in it. IDK if anyone here remembers that game vividly or has a way to watch that game (ie hasn't burned the tape lol), so that's just a guess. Denver ended up winning it all that year and the year before, one of which was a season where Mannino had a .927 sv% and the other their goalie pitched a shutout in the final.
yeah guess I've taken for granted how goaltending was consistently steady but not elite under Bob.
I'm actually not old enough to remember any of the 2000's Lucia squads that fell short. When I was a kid I only saw Wilcox, then Schierhorn start every single game for 4 years each and both performed quite well. So my baseline for Gopher goalies was probably super distorted ha.
I do really wish I could've seen Kangas play- I grew up in Rochester and despite us being the 3rd largest city in MN, very few Roch kids have ever been impactful Gopher hockey players. Zmolek's kids ended up playing for Mankato, Bemidji, and UND. But people back home do still talk about the Alex Kangas show lol.
final five Kangas leaves the game early, later hear it was the stomach flu. Next morning I’m in the hotel at the elevator waiting to go down, door opens at who else but kangas. Said good morning, hope you feel better I’ll grab the next one.😂
“Good pace, a lot of north and south, or it could be east and west, I’m not sure but either way…” Wooger
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2007-08 Kangas was one of the best individual goalie seasons I can remember from a Gopher. Too bad the team was rebuilding after losing Goligoski, Johnson, Okposo, Vannelli & Hirsch. Stoa also missed the whole season with injury.
If Kangas shows up one year prior they probably win it all.
Mason West traded to Portland in the WHL. Something to keep an eye on. If he does indeed play another year of juniors I’m certain Larson would at least try to flip him.
Mason West traded to Portland in the WHL. Something to keep an eye on. If he does indeed play another year of juniors I’m certain Larson would at least try to flip him.
elite prospects guy says expectation still that he’s at msu this fall. Imagine that’s probably why you see the conditional as it’s an if he plays jr as have to imagine west could be the type of guy who does not do well translating to college after a so so season in USHL and will just have turned 19 this fall
@upnorthkid Michigan state has a really wierd lineup. They are going to have all these young centers and not a lot wings. They are the opposite of us.
Fitzhenry to North Dakota
It always seemed we were behind UND with his recruitment. The rise of UND and the poor season by us really set us back I think. I think Larson will be more active in the portal his first couple offseasons until the Aug. 1 recruits hit campus.
Fitzhenry to North Dakota
Well the theory that he was coming here because he followed the Gophers on instagram is shot.. 😀
I actually give a @#$* about the Twins
Looking down from my High Horse
Morality Police
Fitzhenry is a great player, not going to downplay that. But there’s a good chance we end up with one or both of Schneider & Willis.
Fitzhenry is a great player, not going to downplay that. But there’s a good chance we end up with one or both of Schneider & Willis.
Getting 2/3 would still be a win.
Kane Barch (NTDP via Texas) to Michigan
Kane Barch (NTDP via Texas) to Michigan
He grew up in Canada, just was born in Texas when his dad was playing for the Stars.
Ruck twins to UND
Ruck twins to UND
very much makes sense with expected departures up front for them next year carving out room. Chyzyk connections continuing to pay large dividends
That fanbase sure has changed their tune about first rounders not being able to win you national championships. Funny how that works lol
Bleyl now also being told to come in for MSU. This team is going to be stupid talented
Bleyl now also being told to come in for MSU. This team is going to be stupid talented
Maybe 10 first rounders is the magic number for MSU to finally make a Frozen Four
Maybe Nightingale is panicking a bit. Gotta imagine people start to get antsy if they still don't break through...
Different league and all but the Carolina Hurricanes are a good counter example of why you don't make panicked decisions to try and get over the hump. If he continues to put together teams of this caliber he'll be fine, if things start trending backwards then yeah he's in trouble.
Maybe Nightingale is panicking a bit. Gotta imagine people start to get antsy if they still don't break through...
with how bad they were for how long, I think Nightingale is pretty well loved over at MSU. If they miss a tourney, I think that may get a little different, but before he got there, they'd made the tourney once since 08-09
@upnorthkid they are going to be a great regular season team.
as it was thought BU was going to be last year
I think they'll be good and agree with you, but seasons can get curvy even for teams with a ton of talent at times
@upnorthkid I don't think BU had this level of talent last year but I see your point.
@upnorthkid I don't think BU had this level of talent last year but I see your point.
BU also got to play in a mediocre HE and had 19 draft picks with 4 1s (3 of them in their 2nd year).
On MSUs talent, going to be really interested to see what happens with Lindstrom this year. He looked terrible last year and his skating still looks rough though who knows how much of that is confidence is his body physically.
I don't think any of the guys MSU has this year are the skill level of Martone up front (in terms of the incoming Fr) and they won't have the same level of protection they got from Stramel, Russell and on the back end they had last year. Reid and Bleyl are good players, but its pretty rare Fr D come in at 18 and dominate games. I'm a little bummed we don't get them until late December as there will be an adjustment period coming out the gates
Will be a fascinating case study
@upnorthkid Klepov doesn’t have the all around game that Martone does but being the leading scorer in the OHL is meaningful I expect him to put up a lot of points.
Levi Harper to Michigan. Not unexpected at all
@upnorthkid Klepov doesn’t have the all around game that Martone does but being the leading scorer in the OHL is meaningful I expect him to put up a lot of points.
guess we shall never find out how he’ll fare in college. He has signed his ELC with the ducks
Logan Lutner to UMD per Schloss
@maroon_and_gold that's a really nice fit honestly though I don't remember many players who seemed to lose steam from 16 to 18 quicker than him.