@jupiter I saw the ad and I was wondering why I was seeing ads, then I took a closer look and realized it was for DTA, and just kind of nodded with a "yeah, that makes sense" It has been something that several people here have asked/posted about, so it certainly fits.
GPL is working with Dinkytown Athletes to push Gopher hockey fans to donate to the cause. You will start seeing banner ads on GPL very shortly. (Even those that are "Golden")
So if you plan to donate, please click one of our ads when you see them so DTA knows it is coming from GPL.
BTW... We are not making any money off of this campaign. But we will be given the opportunity to have NIL players with DTA to come on the GPL Podcast!
Do not like how this board is run? Get your own board! ♃
GPL is working with Dinkytown Athletes to push Gopher hockey fans to donate to the cause. You will start seeing banner ads on GPL very shortly. (Even those that are "Golden")
So if you plan to donate, please click one of our ads when you see them so DTA knows it is coming from GPL.
BTW... We are not making any money off of this campaign. But we will be given the opportunity to have NIL players with DTA to come on the GPL Podcast!
I see Bob’s postseason press conferences (when he returns next year) did end up being more than tongue in cheek jokes to rile up the Gopher faithful.. awesome that he’s returning! Says a lot about the coaching staff and players we have. Mariucci will be a blast next year.
When coach did it the first time in the post game press conference after the regional final it can be written off as just having some fun in the moment but when he said it a second time a few weeks later IMO that was very telling that he knew Cooley coming back was a likely outcome.
I see Bob’s postseason press conferences (when he returns next year) did end up being more than tongue in cheek jokes to rile up the Gopher faithful.. awesome that he’s returning! Says a lot about the coaching staff and players we have. Mariucci will be a blast next year.
Wait, I was told Bob was quitting and no one was coming back for next season.... ?
I was recently informed by a GPLer that I'm related to Airey
GPL is working with Dinkytown Athletes to push Gopher hockey fans to donate to the cause. You will start seeing banner ads on GPL very shortly. (Even those that are "Golden")
So if you plan to donate, please click one of our ads when you see them so DTA knows it is coming from GPL.
Nice! I am on the fence but if I do I will definitely click through you!
DTA is definitely get the word out. They have a couple people who post on Ghole as well. Good on them
I see Bob’s postseason press conferences (when he returns next year) did end up being more than tongue in cheek jokes to rile up the Gopher faithful.. awesome that he’s returning! Says a lot about the coaching staff and players we have. Mariucci will be a blast next year.
When coach did it the first time in the post game press conference after the regional final it can be written off as just having some fun in the moment but when he said it a second time a few weeks later IMO that was very telling that he knew Cooley coming back was a likely outcome.
Yeah he had no reason to keep the joke going so there was definitely something there. The fact that Logan didn't announce right away made it even more possible...
We should have all seen this coming...certain posters aren't around spreading lies and misinformation about the team.
I see Bob’s postseason press conferences (when he returns next year) did end up being more than tongue in cheek jokes to rile up the Gopher faithful.. awesome that he’s returning! Says a lot about the coaching staff and players we have. Mariucci will be a blast next year.
Wait, I was told Bob was quitting and no one was coming back for next season.... ?
Well it hasn't been announced that coach is coming back. ?
If you treat every situation as if it is the same (a money grab) when it comes to these prospects, you're not really thinking it through and you are assuming best case scenarios across the board.
History is littered with prospects (even highly drafted ones) that falter after they go pro. This is especially the case if the situation doesn't foster positive things for a young player. Careers can get derailed by bad timing and bad decisions.
A young guy signing on with a franchise that is going in a positive direction (good veteran leadership, a healthy culture, puts a player in a position to succeed, etc) is much different than signing with a dysfunctional franchise that lacks those characteristics.
I have heard some top notch coaches say they have seen plenty of cases where a player signed too soon but rarely a case where a player signed "too late".
THe littered prospects falter because they were not good enough players. That is immaterial.
As is the "direction of the franchise", because that is completely out of the prospects hands. Delaying because of the franchise actually works against the player because he would be under the control of that franchise for that much longer.
Regardless, calling it a "money grab" is ridiculous. These players are professional hockey players, not "student-athletes". A NHL contract is their college degree.
And, while I agree that Logan Cooley could be a better rookie player if he stayed in the NCAA, got a "letter", played better defense, played on the PK, etc he will be a better player if he goes to professional hockey. Cooley has nothing to prove against college players and playing against lower level players another year just slows the timeline of his professional career with significant risks of injury.
This isn't the case for every player. As I wrote above, a player like Jaxon Nelson is in a completely different situation. He would be a fringe prospect in any organization, although he would be a free agent available to sign with the team of his choice. Going back for his 5th season could enhance his prospect status in the NHL if he proves he can generate more offense. I would say the same for Brodzinski and other fringe prospect level players. A Jaxon Nelson who is a 15 - 25 - 40 offensive slash line vs. 10-15-25 slash line is a much more sought after prospect. Cooley and Snuggerud do not have that issue.
You can have your own opinion, but Cooley will develop as a player much better in the NHL than NCAA . Snuggerud too.
I can agree with much of your argument, but the need for physical development cannot be understated. It's not about what he needs to prove. It's about what he needs to grow up. The one thing he's missing is the size and strength to play 82 games in the NHL. He'll be closer to that in 2025. Put another way, if he were ready physically, he would be gone.
An NHL GM and handler of an elite prospect has a responsibility to the team to put the best player on the ice. It's unsurprising to me that he would favor Cooley playing in a competitive conference while spending another year getting stronger—without getting his head smashed against the glass by 28-year-old ham-and-eggers trying to prove their worth.
If you treat every situation as if it is the same (a money grab) when it comes to these prospects, you're not really thinking it through and you are assuming best case scenarios across the board.
History is littered with prospects (even highly drafted ones) that falter after they go pro. This is especially the case if the situation doesn't foster positive things for a young player. Careers can get derailed by bad timing and bad decisions.
A young guy signing on with a franchise that is going in a positive direction (good veteran leadership, a healthy culture, puts a player in a position to succeed, etc) is much different than signing with a dysfunctional franchise that lacks those characteristics.
I have heard some top notch coaches say they have seen plenty of cases where a player signed too soon but rarely a case where a player signed "too late".
THe littered prospects falter because they were not good enough players. That is immaterial.
As is the "direction of the franchise", because that is completely out of the prospects hands. Delaying because of the franchise actually works against the player because he would be under the control of that franchise for that much longer.
Regardless, calling it a "money grab" is ridiculous. These players are professional hockey players, not "student-athletes". A NHL contract is their college degree.
And, while I agree that Logan Cooley could be a better rookie player if he stayed in the NCAA, got a "letter", played better defense, played on the PK, etc he will be a better player if he goes to professional hockey. Cooley has nothing to prove against college players and playing against lower level players another year just slows the timeline of his professional career with significant risks of injury.
This isn't the case for every player. As I wrote above, a player like Jaxon Nelson is in a completely different situation. He would be a fringe prospect in any organization, although he would be a free agent available to sign with the team of his choice. Going back for his 5th season could enhance his prospect status in the NHL if he proves he can generate more offense. I would say the same for Brodzinski and other fringe prospect level players. A Jaxon Nelson who is a 15 - 25 - 40 offensive slash line vs. 10-15-25 slash line is a much more sought after prospect. Cooley and Snuggerud do not have that issue.
You can have your own opinion, but Cooley will develop as a player much better in the NHL than NCAA . Snuggerud too.
I can agree with much of your argument, but the need for physical development cannot be understated. It's not about what he needs to prove. It's about what he needs to grow up. The one thing he's missing is the size and strength to play 82 games in the NHL. He'll be closer to that in 2025. Put another way, if he were ready physically, he would be gone.
An NHL GM and handler of an elite prospect has a responsibility to the team to put the best player on the ice. It's unsurprising to me that he would favor Cooley playing in a competitive conference while spending another year getting stronger—without getting his head smashed against the glass by 28-year-old ham-and-eggers trying to prove their worth.
I would point to Casey Mittelstadt as an example of the need for physical development in college. He is an incredibly skilled player sure, but he was NOT ready for the pro game. I understand why he left, coaching change, NHL calling, it's a perfect storm, BUT it hindered his development.
If you're a top tier player, I would say 2 years should be your goal in college, play at a high level in a top tier conference while your body begins to turn into that of an actual grown man, and then sign your ELC. Why rush, especially like in the case of Cooley where he's making Chipotle money playing anyways lol.
There’s plenty of valid reasons to do either, selfishly I’m glad he’s back and at least I have something to look forward to when another 6 month winter rolls around ?
I wouldn't blame him one bit if he left for the NHL early, I expected that. But there's absolutely nothing wrong with coming back and there's evidence to suggest he'll benefit from doing so.
So in my opinion we have 4 potential centers that all need to be top 9 forwards. Cooley, Nelson, Huglen, Moore.
Is it as simple as moving Moore to wing up with Cooley and Snuggerud? Or move Huglen to wing and let Moore center the 3rd line? What a great "problem" to have.
An NHL GM and handler of an elite prospect has a responsibility to the team to put the best player on the ice. It's unsurprising to me that he would favor Cooley playing in a competitive conference while spending another year getting stronger—without getting his head smashed against the glass by 28-year-old ham-and-eggers trying to prove their worth.
He probably waited for the schedule to come out & once he saw that Mankato wasn't on, it made his decision a no brainer! ?
So in my opinion we have 4 potential centers that all need to be top 9 forwards. Cooley, Nelson, Huglen, Moore.
Is it as simple as moving Moore to wing up with Cooley and Snuggerud? Or move Huglen to wing and let Moore center the 3rd line? What a great "problem" to have.
I think it makes sense to have Moore play on the wing his first year then give him more responsibility in his second year and have him be the top line center. I think it's reasonable to expect they'll get 2-3 years out of him.
A t shirt idea for Dinkytown athletes. For those old enough to remember the band Kool and the Gang. Make a shirt with Cooley, Snuggy and a few of his teammates and call it Cools and the Gang...
I was recently informed by a GPLer that I'm related to Airey
A t shirt idea for Dinkytown athletes. For those old enough to remember the band Kool and the Gang. Make a shirt with Cooley, Snuggy and a few of his teammates and call it Cools and the Gang...
Better than whatever the fans "voted" on for the name of the Top Line last year 😉
Who is left to declare either way? Someone mentuoned Snuggy is back but I must have missed it.
BTW this was posted at ss.com fwiw:
From a very very good source of mine, he was already planning to come back. Had a place and everything right after the FF. His intention was to come back but everyone knows how that goes. Players get that carrot dangled in front of them and who knows what could happen.
Who is left to declare either way? Someone mentuoned Snuggy is back but I must have missed it.
Snuggerud announced pretty quick after the loss. The Blues also made it pretty clear they weren’t going to push him months ago. I believe all that is left is Brodzinski. Johnson, too, but I highly doubt he comes back. He’s going to test FA.
So in my opinion we have 4 potential centers that all need to be top 9 forwards. Cooley, Nelson, Huglen, Moore.
Is it as simple as moving Moore to wing up with Cooley and Snuggerud? Or move Huglen to wing and let Moore center the 3rd line? What a great "problem" to have.
I think it makes sense to have Moore play on the wing his first year then give him more responsibility in his second year and have him be the top line center. I think it's reasonable to expect they'll get 2-3 years out of him.
I'd be interested to see how he plays on the wing with a player like Cooley. He started last year on the wing but switched back to center pretty early on. Maybe Moore is just too good in the middle and they move Huglen to the wing but I'd be kind of surprised. Being on Cooley's wing year 1 and centering Eiserman year 2 doesn't sound too bad. Moore, Cooley, Snuggerud might end up being another WJC line.
GPL is working with Dinkytown Athletes to push Gopher hockey fans to donate to the cause. You will start seeing banner ads on GPL very shortly. (Even those that are "Golden")
So if you plan to donate, please click one of our ads when you see them so DTA knows it is coming from GPL.
@Jupiter You really should create a separate thread for this announcement, so it doesn't get buried amongst all the "chatter".
Tact is the ability to step on a man's toes without messing up the shine on his shoes - Harry S Truman
Koster-Chesley Thomas-Rinzel Fish-Mittelstadt Ex. Rud
Close Airey Wiese
D looks a little weaker, forwards should be a bit better than last year, and goaltending should be just as good as last year. Another national title or bust season.
It seems Hendrickson will be in the USHL but in any event a strong and deep group of forwards.
I think he should be in the USHL and I've heard that too but didn't he sign his NLI already? I haven't been able to get much clarity on that situation.
Not much clarity, no. There were rumblings he was unable to accelerate; just in wait and see.
Obviously doesn't mean anything because they might have been just going off signed NLI's and things could have changed but a couple weeks ago when U-18s won the world championships the Gopher instagram account made a post congratulating him and Moore and called them both incoming freshmen.
"We are just going to lose in the championship game again"
-Eeyore
Unfortunately, that outcome is all too common now in college hockey. Older teams that are built for defensive play often reap the benefits of playing in the one-and-done.
You don't have to be better than your opponent. You just have to keep them off the score sheet for a couple of games and roll the dice that you'll get a couple of goals yourself. It's more than a trend now. It's becoming the norm. (Denver was a skilled team that played a gritty game to beat Mankato a couple of years ago, but honestly, they didn't play that much differently than Minnesota a couple of nights earlier. Mankato just couldn't hold on one more period.)
As a season ticket holder, I'll take Minnesota's high-flying show night in and night out over Jacques Lemaire hockey any day. In fact, if the Gophers recruited teams like this, I'd quit coming.
Or move Huglen to wing and let Moore center the 3rd line?
I don't think you mess with the success of the top three returning centers; Cooley, Huglen, and Nelson. There is a great mix of experience, leadership, and talent between those three for most every situation. I understand the possible problem of moving Moore away from his natural spot at center, but I wouldn't move any of those three I just mentioned.
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LOL! Doesn't bother me one iota. ESTATIC that Cooley is returning. But whoever advised him to return gave him bad advice. For professional athletes the clock is a ticking one, 24/7/365. That is why, for example, high value NBA rookies like Karl Anthony Towns and soon Anthony Edwards will automatically sign with their drafting teams once their rookie contract is completed, even if the team is the shit luck TImberwolves. That is why they one and doned in the first place. You don't leave the contract sitting there and take all of the injury risk for nothing.
But Cooley returning, with the other returnees and additions this will be an incredible club that will start the year ranked #1.
So in my opinion we have 4 potential centers that all need to be top 9 forwards. Cooley, Nelson, Huglen, Moore.
Is it as simple as moving Moore to wing up with Cooley and Snuggerud? Or move Huglen to wing and let Moore center the 3rd line? What a great "problem" to have.
I think it makes sense to have Moore play on the wing his first year then give him more responsibility in his second year and have him be the top line center. I think it's reasonable to expect they'll get 2-3 years out of him.
Agree. Let Moore, Cooley, Snuggerud rack up video game numbers next season then center Moore with some bum named Cole Eiserman his sophomore year.
Where to even begin?. The #1 offense just got better as well as Close returning in net and a sneaky good D group (Carl Fish truther here). Mariucci is going to be the place to be this year! Should be sellouts every night. 〽️?
Can't wait to be sitting in Mariucci and Rock & Roll part 2 starts with .. Justen Close-- Kindersley, Saskatchewan and ending with Logan Cooley-- Pittsburgh PA
I was recently informed by a GPLer that I'm related to Airey
It is incredible that we have a bridge to Eiserman, although it would be more incredible if they can figure out how to get him to campus earlier.
Michigan has been incredibly lucky because sevral of their top players had late birthdays so they missed the NHL draft, but then turned 18 on or about the start of the college season. Adam Fantilli (10/12), Matty Beniers (11/05), Owen Power (11/22), Kent Johnson (10/18) all started Michigan as 17 years old, played their freshman season, then was selected in the NHL Draft (Fantilli pending). They then stayed a second year (Fantilli pending), one year after their draft year.
"We are just going to lose in the championship game again"
-Eeyore
Unfortunately, that outcome is all too common now in college hockey. Older teams that are built for defensive play often reap the benefits of playing in the one-and-done.
You don't have to be better than your opponent. You just have to keep them off the score sheet for a couple of games and roll the dice that you'll get a couple of goals yourself. It's more than a trend now. It's becoming the norm. (Denver was a skilled team that played a gritty game to beat Mankato a couple of years ago, but honestly, they didn't play that much differently than Minnesota a couple of nights earlier. Mankato just couldn't hold on one more period.)
As a season ticket holder, I'll take Minnesota's high-flying show night in and night out over Jacques Lemaire hockey any day. In fact, if the Gophers recruited teams like this, I'd quit coming.
My dad asked me after the title game if Motzko needs to win to avoid being connotation to Doug Woog.. and I said "if we get a decade of hockey like Woog got from Motzko and the only complaint is we didn't win the final game I will take it all day long" and never be upset! Last season was the most fun I have had watching Gopher hockey in 15 years. That isn't ruined because of how the last game ended.
I would love to win the big one, but I will take 4-5 more years of this season as a nice consolation and never look back!
