The only miss from the U18s forwards imo is Berchild, who is missing from the line chart. Wonder if he is injured and didn’t make the trip.
we just are never going to have much success with east coast kids so I don’t consider those misses.
As stated, if we miss on all of Fitzhenry, Schneider and Willis it gets a little concerning.
The incoming U17s should see a good amount of commits for us. Matt Cullen has spent a lot of time around that age group. Huge issues if we miss on a lot of those.
All to say, this U18 class just wasn’t setup well for us. It will just be a one year issue I think.
I tend to agree with everything you said. If it’s a one year blip, that’s fine. But also shows why this program shouldn’t have such tunnel vision on MN kids at times. They don’t all want to be Gophers.
We should have at least as much success recruiting out East as BU and BC does here. And as much success recruiting out of Michigan as the Michigan schools do here.
Might just be my perception, but it seems like we put most of our eggs in the MN basket too often and then when that doesn’t pan out we’re left scrambling. And then perception builds and it seems to snowball.
We are not going to have the same success recruiting in MI and MASS as schools from there have in MN simply based on numbers. About 20% of all NCAA players are coming from MN, often times more than MI and Mass combined. There are just a lot more MN born players to go around.
By putting all the eggs in one basket, I assume you are saying targeting your top 5 players to recruit as MN players? Well, if there are MN players that are in the top 10 for ability in a class, don't you think the odds are better a MN player will commit than a Boston guy? Even in these times, I don't think a coach can offer 20 guys in the same year, and when 10 commit, turn around and tell 5 of them that he got better commitments so they better look elsewhere. And I think with the Coollys, Knies, Mooney players, we see they aren't completely ignoring out of state talent when there is a difference maker they have a shot at. And who is to say they aren't hearing early from a lot of the non-MN stars that they just aren't interested at all?
I personally feel that having mostly MN players sets MN apart from all other schools. I don't know that I would even watch them if one year they just had a team of CHL players. I realize, there is no going back, and it is what Larson had to do in this new world, but I don't like just dumping players and filling them in each year. I have always liked the tracking of prospective recruits, waiting to see who commits and then following their progress. Then once in the program, watching their development. Hopefully after this year we won't completely get away from that and the portal and CHL imports are just where really needed. But with so many players who don't bleed school colors and are willing to jump in the portal, and NIL willing to bid on players, I am not sure in the near future if I will be as passionate about Gopher hockey as I have for the past few decades.
The only miss from the U18s forwards imo is Berchild, who is missing from the line chart. Wonder if he is injured and didn’t make the trip.
we just are never going to have much success with east coast kids so I don’t consider those misses.
As stated, if we miss on all of Fitzhenry, Schneider and Willis it gets a little concerning.
The incoming U17s should see a good amount of commits for us. Matt Cullen has spent a lot of time around that age group. Huge issues if we miss on a lot of those.
All to say, this U18 class just wasn’t setup well for us. It will just be a one year issue I think.
I tend to agree with everything you said. If it’s a one year blip, that’s fine. But also shows why this program shouldn’t have such tunnel vision on MN kids at times. They don’t all want to be Gophers.
We should have at least as much success recruiting out East as BU and BC does here. And as much success recruiting out of Michigan as the Michigan schools do here.
Might just be my perception, but it seems like we put most of our eggs in the MN basket too often and then when that doesn’t pan out we’re left scrambling. And then perception builds and it seems to snowball.
We are not going to have the same success recruiting in MI and MASS as schools from there have in MN simply based on numbers. About 20% of all NCAA players are coming from MN, often times more than MI and Mass combined. There are just a lot more MN born players to go around.
By putting all the eggs in one basket, I assume you are saying targeting your top 5 players to recruit as MN players? Well, if there are MN players that are in the top 10 for ability in a class, don't you think the odds are better a MN player will commit than a Boston guy? Even in these times, I don't think a coach can offer 20 guys in the same year, and when 10 commit, turn around and tell 5 of them that he got better commitments so they better look elsewhere. And I think with the Coollys, Knies, Mooney players, we see they aren't completely ignoring out of state talent when there is a difference maker they have a shot at. And who is to say they aren't hearing early from a lot of the non-MN stars that they just aren't interested at all?
I personally feel that having mostly MN players sets MN apart from all other schools. I don't know that I would even watch them if one year they just had a team of CHL players. I realize, there is no going back, and it is what Larson had to do in this new world, but I don't like just dumping players and filling them in each year. I have always liked the tracking of prospective recruits, waiting to see who commits and then following their progress. Then once in the program, watching their development. Hopefully after this year we won't completely get away from that and the portal and CHL imports are just where really needed. But with so many players who don't bleed school colors and are willing to jump in the portal, and NIL willing to bid on players, I am not sure in the near future if I will be as passionate about Gopher hockey as I have for the past few decades.
on your last part, yes this is part of what may really kill college hockey, which is a niche sport. though the dollars are smaller, it is incredibly provincial with ties to area/school important.
while i think if you win, yeah people will watch. If it goes poorly, you may entirely alienate a fan base. MN, fortunately or unfortunately, has a big local talent base to draw from coupled with a history we only recruited those players extensively, leading to many people being like yourself in that their interest in the Gophers was as MNs (or America's if you like the signage 😉 ) team. Is it worth is to possibly alienate those people to win a title? As someone who didn't grow up with it, I don't really care where someone is from as long as they're playing for the letter on the front, not the name on the back and many guys not from here have exemplified that (hell we just interviewed one of them to possibly be our HC).
Tbh, I think Gopher fans are going to need to come to grips that that is how it is now in that you're going to get lunch pail guys locally (you would expect) for many/most teams, but the top tiers will be increasingly nationally contested because they travel way more and the money is greater. Puts us at a huge disadvantage competitively now if you ignore that massive talent pool up north any longer
I was never bothered too much about missing on this class of NDTP because it really isn’t that good of one. And yes, we just so happen to still pick up the best player from it.
Not many guys from this the 2008 birth year are highly regarded.
I personally feel that having mostly MN players sets MN apart from all other schools.
This won't change. Sheer numbers say it won't. But you'd be foolish to not pull from elsewhere in today's age.
I was never bothered too much about missing on this class of NDTP because it really isn’t that good of one. And yes, we just so happen to still pick up the best player from it.
Not many guys from this the 2008 birth year are highly regarded.
Nelson is probably the top '08 draft prospect but he's in the next draft.
When I am talking about missing on recruiting cycles, this can’t happen again. Now that we don’t have a commitment from Harper, we have ZERO commitments on the U18 team. We don’t need to land every elite player. But it is hard to argue this is ok.
https://twitter.com/usahockey/status/2044733008314265779?s=46
I don’t think any program has more NTDP kids either committed or on the team right now than Minnesota does:
05s:
Burnevik
Hendrickson
(Moore already in NHL)
06s:
Ziemer
Whipple
Humphreys
07s:
Mooney
Kvasnicka
Phillips
08s:
Cullen
09s:
Geiger
McArthur
Very much in the mix for one or several of Fitzhenry, Schneider, Willis
And if you wanna jump ahead to the 2010’s we already have Cullen in the bag there. If there’s one team that doesn’t need to gripe about getting NTDP kids it’s probably us.
I like that Larson wants to win now, being in the down year, from here on out I like to think the U which is already a big time program gets back to that hot attraction for recruiting and portal prospects and getting more picks of the litter and elite’s wanting to play for a winner in April. I just think it gets better from here and trust Larson and his direction. 🍻
“Good pace, a lot of north and south, or it could be east and west, I’m not sure but either way…” Wooger
The only miss from the U18s forwards imo is Berchild, who is missing from the line chart. Wonder if he is injured and didn’t make the trip.
we just are never going to have much success with east coast kids so I don’t consider those misses.
As stated, if we miss on all of Fitzhenry, Schneider and Willis it gets a little concerning.
The incoming U17s should see a good amount of commits for us. Matt Cullen has spent a lot of time around that age group. Huge issues if we miss on a lot of those.
All to say, this U18 class just wasn’t setup well for us. It will just be a one year issue I think.
I tend to agree with everything you said. If it’s a one year blip, that’s fine. But also shows why this program shouldn’t have such tunnel vision on MN kids at times. They don’t all want to be Gophers.
We should have at least as much success recruiting out East as BU and BC does here. And as much success recruiting out of Michigan as the Michigan schools do here.
Might just be my perception, but it seems like we put most of our eggs in the MN basket too often and then when that doesn’t pan out we’re left scrambling. And then perception builds and it seems to snowball.
We are not going to have the same success recruiting in MI and MASS as schools from there have in MN simply based on numbers. About 20% of all NCAA players are coming from MN, often times more than MI and Mass combined. There are just a lot more MN born players to go around.
By putting all the eggs in one basket, I assume you are saying targeting your top 5 players to recruit as MN players? Well, if there are MN players that are in the top 10 for ability in a class, don't you think the odds are better a MN player will commit than a Boston guy? Even in these times, I don't think a coach can offer 20 guys in the same year, and when 10 commit, turn around and tell 5 of them that he got better commitments so they better look elsewhere. And I think with the Coollys, Knies, Mooney players, we see they aren't completely ignoring out of state talent when there is a difference maker they have a shot at. And who is to say they aren't hearing early from a lot of the non-MN stars that they just aren't interested at all?
I personally feel that having mostly MN players sets MN apart from all other schools. I don't know that I would even watch them if one year they just had a team of CHL players. I realize, there is no going back, and it is what Larson had to do in this new world, but I don't like just dumping players and filling them in each year. I have always liked the tracking of prospective recruits, waiting to see who commits and then following their progress. Then once in the program, watching their development. Hopefully after this year we won't completely get away from that and the portal and CHL imports are just where really needed. But with so many players who don't bleed school colors and are willing to jump in the portal, and NIL willing to bid on players, I am not sure in the near future if I will be as passionate about Gopher hockey as I have for the past few decades.
I guess what I’m getting at is this. If you’re targeting a high-end Minnesota kid in the NTDP and you know he also has interest in a few other programs and he’s dragging his feet on a commitment for a few months or more, I am more inclined to start recruiting other players a little harder and if I don’t have a spot for him when he finally decides, I live with that.
What I think really burns us is we don’t put nearly enough effort into recruiting other kids that are high-end because we’re so focused on some targets that are stringing us along. That’s what I mean by not putting all our eggs in one basket.
I like that Larson wants to win now, being in the down year, from here on out I like to think the U which is already a big time program gets back to that hot attraction for recruiting and portal prospects and getting more picks of the litter and elite’s wanting to play for a winner in April. I just think it gets better from here and trust Larson and his direction. 🍻
I think you’re right too. I just want to get back to where that is the expectation, not a hope.
When I am talking about missing on recruiting cycles, this can’t happen again. Now that we don’t have a commitment from Harper, we have ZERO commitments on the U18 team. We don’t need to land every elite player. But it is hard to argue this is ok.
https://twitter.com/usahockey/status/2044733008314265779?s=46
I don’t think any program has more NTDP kids either committed or on the team right now than Minnesota does:
05s:
Burnevik
Hendrickson
(Moore already in NHL)
06s:
Ziemer
Whipple
Humphreys
07s:
Mooney
Kvasnicka
Phillips
08s:
Cullen
09s:
Geiger
McArthur
Very much in the mix for one or several of Fitzhenry, Schneider, Willis
And if you wanna jump ahead to the 2010’s we already have Cullen in the bag there. If there’s one team that doesn’t need to gripe about getting NTDP kids it’s probably us.
That does put things into perspective. Thank you.
When I am talking about missing on recruiting cycles, this can’t happen again. Now that we don’t have a commitment from Harper, we have ZERO commitments on the U18 team. We don’t need to land every elite player. But it is hard to argue this is ok.
https://twitter.com/usahockey/status/2044733008314265779?s=46
I don’t think any program has more NTDP kids either committed or on the team right now than Minnesota does:
05s:
Burnevik
Hendrickson
(Moore already in NHL)
06s:
Ziemer
Whipple
Humphreys
07s:
Mooney
Kvasnicka
Phillips
08s:
Cullen
09s:
Geiger
McArthur
Very much in the mix for one or several of Fitzhenry, Schneider, Willis
And if you wanna jump ahead to the 2010’s we already have Cullen in the bag there. If there’s one team that doesn’t need to gripe about getting NTDP kids it’s probably us.
That does put things into perspective. Thank you.
Also left out the best group in recent memory…
’04’s: Cooley, Snuggerud, Chesley
Had a Dune-esque vision of Mason West decommitting from MSU and becoming a Gopher this fall. Wonder if the new staff has taken another pass at him
Had a Dune-esque vision of Mason West decommitting from MSU and becoming a Gopher this fall. Wonder if the new staff has taken another pass at him
how much spice have you had?
Had a Dune-esque vision of Mason West decommitting from MSU and becoming a Gopher this fall. Wonder if the new staff has taken another pass at him
Doubt it. If you take away the fact that he was taken in the first round and he’s Minnesotan and just looked at his stats nobody would even be talking about him. .66 points per game (97th) in the USHL isn’t good by any standard, let alone a first rounder. He wouldn’t crack the top 9 and I really don’t understand the infatuation people have with him. He wasn’t even the best player on his Edina team.
I wouldn't call it an infatuation. He just seemed like a big recruiting loss. During his tournament appearance he was a man child and noticeable on every shift. It's worth reminding fans that this was against high school competition.Had a Dune-esque vision of Mason West decommitting from MSU and becoming a Gopher this fall. Wonder if the new staff has taken another pass at him
Doubt it. If you take away the fact that he was taken in the first round and he’s Minnesotan and just looked at his stats nobody would even be talking about him. .66 points per game (97th) in the USHL isn’t good by any standard, let alone a first rounder. He wouldn’t crack the top 9 and I really don’t understand the infatuation people have with him. He wasn’t even the best player on his Edina team.
His numbers aren't terrible and not eye popping either. It will be interesting to see how this kid develops. I would love to see him at MN because he seems like he's physically mature enough to be a net add. However, in today's hockey world, a good sophomore transfer would probably be a better choice.
West has always felt like a guy who would be better in the pros than college.
Had a Dune-esque vision of Mason West decommitting from MSU and becoming a Gopher this fall. Wonder if the new staff has taken another pass at him
how much spice have you had?
Hopefully he's sitting in a tank full of orange vapor.
I wouldn't call it an infatuation. He just seemed like a big recruiting loss. During his tournament appearance he was a man child and noticeable on every shift. It's worth reminding fans that this was against high school competition.Had a Dune-esque vision of Mason West decommitting from MSU and becoming a Gopher this fall. Wonder if the new staff has taken another pass at him
Doubt it. If you take away the fact that he was taken in the first round and he’s Minnesotan and just looked at his stats nobody would even be talking about him. .66 points per game (97th) in the USHL isn’t good by any standard, let alone a first rounder. He wouldn’t crack the top 9 and I really don’t understand the infatuation people have with him. He wasn’t even the best player on his Edina team.
His numbers aren't terrible and not eye popping either. It will be interesting to see how this kid develops. I would love to see him at MN because he seems like he's physically mature enough to be a net add. However, in today's hockey world, a good sophomore transfer would probably be a better choice.
Gophers may only have one forward spot left to fill for next season and if they don’t use it on a true top 6 type center to play with Mooney and Ziemer it would be unfortunate. It just seems Larson is definitely in a win now mode and cutting a senior center in Clark just to bring in a raw project center in West who needs to be developed doesn’t scream win now to me. Might as well have just kept Clark imo. I’ll be interested to see how they do relative to each other at MSU next year but I predict Clark will be more productive than West.
Ultimately, I think Larson will land a high end CHL center. Personally, I’ve got my eye on Matias Vanhanen from Finland. Tarin Smith’s teammate in Everett so the staff have definitely scouted him and seems to have interest in playing college hockey. Larson also does well recruiting European players as well. Whether it’s Vanhanen or someone else though Larson should only be adding to the top of this roster at this point they have enough players who can center the bottom lines.
I wouldn't call it an infatuation. He just seemed like a big recruiting loss. During his tournament appearance he was a man child and noticeable on every shift. It's worth reminding fans that this was against high school competition.Had a Dune-esque vision of Mason West decommitting from MSU and becoming a Gopher this fall. Wonder if the new staff has taken another pass at him
Doubt it. If you take away the fact that he was taken in the first round and he’s Minnesotan and just looked at his stats nobody would even be talking about him. .66 points per game (97th) in the USHL isn’t good by any standard, let alone a first rounder. He wouldn’t crack the top 9 and I really don’t understand the infatuation people have with him. He wasn’t even the best player on his Edina team.
His numbers aren't terrible and not eye popping either. It will be interesting to see how this kid develops. I would love to see him at MN because he seems like he's physically mature enough to be a net add. However, in today's hockey world, a good sophomore transfer would probably be a better choice.
Gophers may only have one forward spot left to fill for next season and if they don’t use it on a true top 6 type center to play with Mooney and Ziemer it would be unfortunate. It just seems Larson is definitely in a win now mode and cutting a senior center in Clark just to bring in a raw project center in West who needs to be developed doesn’t scream win now to me. Might as well have just kept Clark imo. I’ll be interested to see how they do relative to each other at MSU next year but I predict Clark will be more productive than West.
Ultimately, I think Larson will land a high end CHL center. Personally, I’ve got my eye on Matias Vanhanen from Finland. Tarin Smith’s teammate in Everett so the staff have definitely scouted him and seems to have interest in playing college hockey. Larson also does well recruiting European players as well. Whether it’s Vanhanen or someone else though Larson should only be adding to the top of this roster at this point they have enough players who can center the bottom lines.
Their website has him listed as a left wing?
There has to be a CHL move coming at forward...
I wouldn't call it an infatuation. He just seemed like a big recruiting loss. During his tournament appearance he was a man child and noticeable on every shift. It's worth reminding fans that this was against high school competition.Had a Dune-esque vision of Mason West decommitting from MSU and becoming a Gopher this fall. Wonder if the new staff has taken another pass at him
Doubt it. If you take away the fact that he was taken in the first round and he’s Minnesotan and just looked at his stats nobody would even be talking about him. .66 points per game (97th) in the USHL isn’t good by any standard, let alone a first rounder. He wouldn’t crack the top 9 and I really don’t understand the infatuation people have with him. He wasn’t even the best player on his Edina team.
His numbers aren't terrible and not eye popping either. It will be interesting to see how this kid develops. I would love to see him at MN because he seems like he's physically mature enough to be a net add. However, in today's hockey world, a good sophomore transfer would probably be a better choice.
Gophers may only have one forward spot left to fill for next season and if they don’t use it on a true top 6 type center to play with Mooney and Ziemer it would be unfortunate. It just seems Larson is definitely in a win now mode and cutting a senior center in Clark just to bring in a raw project center in West who needs to be developed doesn’t scream win now to me. Might as well have just kept Clark imo. I’ll be interested to see how they do relative to each other at MSU next year but I predict Clark will be more productive than West.
Ultimately, I think Larson will land a high end CHL center. Personally, I’ve got my eye on Matias Vanhanen from Finland. Tarin Smith’s teammate in Everett so the staff have definitely scouted him and seems to have interest in playing college hockey. Larson also does well recruiting European players as well. Whether it’s Vanhanen or someone else though Larson should only be adding to the top of this roster at this point they have enough players who can center the bottom lines.
Their website has him listed as a left wing?
There has to be a CHL move coming at forward...
Yeah I think I started confusing him with his Finish teammate Miettinen who is the top line center and started thinking he played center but yeah probably not Vanhanen then.
I wouldn't call it an infatuation. He just seemed like a big recruiting loss. During his tournament appearance he was a man child and noticeable on every shift. It's worth reminding fans that this was against high school competition.Had a Dune-esque vision of Mason West decommitting from MSU and becoming a Gopher this fall. Wonder if the new staff has taken another pass at him
Doubt it. If you take away the fact that he was taken in the first round and he’s Minnesotan and just looked at his stats nobody would even be talking about him. .66 points per game (97th) in the USHL isn’t good by any standard, let alone a first rounder. He wouldn’t crack the top 9 and I really don’t understand the infatuation people have with him. He wasn’t even the best player on his Edina team.
His numbers aren't terrible and not eye popping either. It will be interesting to see how this kid develops. I would love to see him at MN because he seems like he's physically mature enough to be a net add. However, in today's hockey world, a good sophomore transfer would probably be a better choice.
Gophers may only have one forward spot left to fill for next season and if they don’t use it on a true top 6 type center to play with Mooney and Ziemer it would be unfortunate. It just seems Larson is definitely in a win now mode and cutting a senior center in Clark just to bring in a raw project center in West who needs to be developed doesn’t scream win now to me. Might as well have just kept Clark imo. I’ll be interested to see how they do relative to each other at MSU next year but I predict Clark will be more productive than West.
Ultimately, I think Larson will land a high end CHL center. Personally, I’ve got my eye on Matias Vanhanen from Finland. Tarin Smith’s teammate in Everett so the staff have definitely scouted him and seems to have interest in playing college hockey. Larson also does well recruiting European players as well. Whether it’s Vanhanen or someone else though Larson should only be adding to the top of this roster at this point they have enough players who can center the bottom lines.
Their website has him listed as a left wing?
There has to be a CHL move coming at forward...
Yeah I think I started confusing him with his Finish teammate Miettinen who is the top line center and started thinking he played center but yeah probably not Vanhanen then.
2nd round draft pick with size and production? Hopefully that's the case.
While Larson publicly said they are in "win now" territory, I personally think it's a tall ask to go from one of their worst seasons ever to reaching the FF. I expect marked improvement for sure, maybe even an NCAA berth, but of recent teams that went from missing to making, did any of those teams only win 11 games?
Maybe ten years ago it was a big ask but in the modern day college hockey landscape teams can turn around in a jiff. No reason not to expect to be a contender right away.
While Larson publicly said they are in "win now" territory, I personally think it's a tall ask to go from one of their worst seasons ever to reaching the FF. I expect marked improvement for sure, maybe even an NCAA berth, but of recent teams that went from missing to making, did any of those teams only win 11 games?
Maybe ten years ago it was a big ask but in the modern day college hockey landscape teams can turn around in a jiff. No reason not to expect to be a contender right away.
Case in point, Wisconsin. 13 wins last year, national championship game this year.
@go4birdvowel is he allowed to play college hockey? his elite prospects page says he signed.
Well we're getting to the point where roster projections are taking closer shape now with 1 week left in the portal. As it stands without knowledge if there is attrition outside this, but both Harris and Begley are still listed while the others have been removed. Pretty minimal rumors outside of the Smith ones, which hard to say how much steam there is there. Apologies if I missed someone but we in theory could be done right now, which I wouldn't necessarily feel super stoked about. Floor of the D is massively improved but there are still holes on this team and you're missing some flash to try compete with the upper tier of the B10 imo.
Forward 13/15 confirmed, Kvasnicka expected and Nevers ages out. There are not many capable/tested centers in this group and class balance is pretty all over the place. Certainly room given we are still projected to be rostering Harris.
Sr: Ludtke (C)
Jr: Burnevik (W), Ziemer (W), Hendrickson (W), Harris (W)
So: Mooney (W/C), Moe (W/C), Humphreys (W/C), Pritchard (W), Moore (W), Townsend (W)
Confirmed Fr: W Cullen (W), B Cullen (C/W)
Projected: Jacob Kvasnicka (W)
TBD: Nevers (still listed as a Gopher commit on socials and ages out of Jr)
Defense 6/8 confirmed, 1 projected, 1 TBD. Room for 1 more in theory pending what they've decided on Phillips and could make room doing something with Begley.
Sr: Murr, Begley
Jr: Loftus, Whipple
So: Henricks, Rombach
Confirmed Fr: None
Projected Fr: Lofgren
TBD: Phillips
Goalie 2/3 confirmed. Need one practice guy
Sr: DiPasquo
So: Strahl
There are not many capable/tested centers in this group and class balance is pretty all over the place
I think I'm happy with the center depth as long as they all get essentially slid down a spot.
1C: ???
2C: Ludtke
3C: Humphreys
4C: Moe
5C: B. Cullen
Something to this effect I would feel fairly confident about. I'm really hoping Ludtke is back to form on that 2nd line, and that Humphreys can find a groove and maybe work his way into the top 6.
I think Brooks should get some time as the extra skater this year as long as team make up allows... I think it will given how potentially deep the D core may end up being.
There are not many capable/tested centers in this group and class balance is pretty all over the place
I think I'm happy with the center depth as long as they all get essentially slid down a spot.
1C: ???
2C: Ludtke
3C: Humphreys
4C: Moe
5C: B. CullenSomething to this effect I would feel fairly confident about. I'm really hoping Ludtke is back to form on that 2nd line, and that Humphreys can find a groove and maybe work his way into the top 6.
I think Brooks should get some time as the extra skater this year as long as team make up allows... I think it will given how potentially deep the D core may end up being.
my concern about that is you're playing a bunch of guys who didn't play center last year or did not produce at center down the middle
Ludtke put up 8 points at even strength while spending time on our top line intermittently last year before getting scrapped for Lamb to play center in place of him
Humphreys is playing wing this year in the CHL and was never good on the dot
Moe didn't play center last year (though he did in jr)
Cullen i don't have a ton of optimism to contribute early, but no reason that Townsend and Pritchard should be slotted in every night ahead of him based on what we know to this point/production last year
Yeah nothing against Ludtke but if he’s anything higher than third line center that’s not a good sign for how competitive the team will be. At 3C he might be ok, really just depends on whether there’s any improvement over last year. Up north is right though they need to figure that position out because having Lamb there already wasn’t ideal and they don’t even have him anymore.
If Humphreys isn't stepping into your top 6, then what is the point of even bringing him in?
There are not many capable/tested centers in this group and class balance is pretty all over the place
I think I'm happy with the center depth as long as they all get essentially slid down a spot.
1C: ???
2C: Ludtke
3C: Humphreys
4C: Moe
5C: B. CullenSomething to this effect I would feel fairly confident about. I'm really hoping Ludtke is back to form on that 2nd line, and that Humphreys can find a groove and maybe work his way into the top 6.
I think Brooks should get some time as the extra skater this year as long as team make up allows... I think it will given how potentially deep the D core may end up being.
No way in hell Moe is your 4th line center next season. He’s ready for a Lamb-like jump in production his sophomore season. I say surround him with talent and he’ll flourish.
Cullen-Mooney-Ziemer
Hendrickson-Moe-Burnevik
Moore-Ludtke-Kvasnicka
Townsend-Humphreys-Pritchard
Yeah nothing against Ludtke but if he’s anything higher than third line center that’s not a good sign for how competitive the team will be. At 3C he might be ok, really just depends on whether there’s any improvement over last year. Up north is right though they need to figure that position out because having Lamb there already wasn’t ideal and they don’t even have him anymore.
Doesnt shock me that Larson, a coach coming over from the NCHC, held on to Ludtke. He was a stud for Omaha. If he can even come close to returning to that it would be huge. Sleeping giant.
Moe didn't play center last year (though he did in jr)
That would be news to me and I think Moe himself... He wasn't slotted there all the time, but he saw the dot plenty and will be a center this year.
Moving on.. I think overall I'm more "bullish" on Ludtke than some are. He was a very good player at Omaha before having his sophomore season cut short. I think his performance last year was a symptom of roster wide compete issues.
Humphreys I feel has to be a center if he comes in, no room at wing for him unless you're cool with him rolling 4th line the whole time.
Cullen would really benefit from another year in Juniors I think, but if he's set on coming in with his brother, I think some initial lumps with being that next center up are going to have to be taken.
No way in hell Moe is your 4th line center next season. He’s ready for a Lamb-like jump in production his sophomore season.
I think he ends up being in an elevated position as the season goes on myself. But I don't know that I'm catapulting him to T6 right off the bat. Need to see a pretty big improvement on the dot.
Moe didn't play center last year (though he did in jr)
That would be news to me and I think Moe himself... He wasn't slotted there all the time, but he saw the dot plenty and will be a center this year.
Moving on.. I think overall I'm more "bullish" on Ludtke than some are. He was a very good player at Omaha before having his sophomore season cut short. I think his performance last year was a symptom of roster wide compete issues.
Humphreys I feel has to be a center if he comes in, no room at wing for him unless you're cool with him rolling 4th line the whole time.
Cullen would really benefit from another year in Juniors I think, but if he's set on coming in with his brother, I think some initial lumps with being that next center up are going to have to be taken.
yep sorry you're right he did play some (terribly on the faceoff dot, but nonetheless he did line up a decent amount taking draws). Forgot they shifted him over when they really started bouncing lines up and down but he was not a regular center even when we were playing wings at center. He took about 200 faceoffs out of the over 2200 we took as a team
While Larson publicly said they are in "win now" territory, I personally think it's a tall ask to go from one of their worst seasons ever to reaching the FF. I expect marked improvement for sure, maybe even an NCAA berth, but of recent teams that went from missing to making, did any of those teams only win 11 games?
Maybe ten years ago it was a big ask but in the modern day college hockey landscape teams can turn around in a jiff. No reason not to expect to be a contender right away.
Boston College from 2022-23 (14 Ws) to 2023-24 (34 Ws, NCAA runners-up)
There are not many capable/tested centers in this group and class balance is pretty all over the place
I think I'm happy with the center depth as long as they all get essentially slid down a spot.
1C: ???
2C: Ludtke
3C: Humphreys
4C: Moe
5C: B. CullenSomething to this effect I would feel fairly confident about. I'm really hoping Ludtke is back to form on that 2nd line, and that Humphreys can find a groove and maybe work his way into the top 6.
I think Brooks should get some time as the extra skater this year as long as team make up allows... I think it will given how potentially deep the D core may end up being.
No way in hell Moe is your 4th line center next season. He’s ready for a Lamb-like jump in production his sophomore season. I say surround him with talent and he’ll flourish.
Cullen-Mooney-Ziemer
Hendrickson-Moe-Burnevik
Moore-Ludtke-Kvasnicka
Townsend-Humphreys-Pritchard
You can’t roll into the year planning to have Moe as your second line center and expect to be a competitor in the Big Ten. I think he has nice potential and if he eventually proves to be that good in the midst of the season then that’s awesome, but that’s a huge leap from freshmen to sophomore year to just expect.
I think they gotta find a way to find another center. Also think they should try to avoid having to put Mooney at center.
Admittedly I don’t know much about his game so maybe that’s the plan but either way I think they need more than what they have currentlyIf Humphreys isn't stepping into your top 6, then what is the point of even bringing him in?
They need a bunch more at the top of the lineup. They have more than they could ever need of 4th liners. Obviously you can never truly know where a guy is going to fit in, but I don't see the reason to even recruit a guy like Humphreys if he's the kind of guy who needs to start on the 4th lineAdmittedly I don’t know much about his game so maybe that’s the plan but either way I think they need more than what they have currentlyIf Humphreys isn't stepping into your top 6, then what is the point of even bringing him in?
While Larson publicly said they are in "win now" territory, I personally think it's a tall ask to go from one of their worst seasons ever to reaching the FF. I expect marked improvement for sure, maybe even an NCAA berth, but of recent teams that went from missing to making, did any of those teams only win 11 games?
Maybe ten years ago it was a big ask but in the modern day college hockey landscape teams can turn around in a jiff. No reason not to expect to be a contender right away.
Boston College from 2022-23 (14 Ws) to 2023-24 (34 Ws, NCAA runners-up)
The Frozen 4 this year had 3 teams that didn't make NCAA's last year, Wisconsin, UND, and Michigan. Duluth also made the 2nd round and didn't make NCAA's last year. You can turn teams around quickly. I agree they need to find a center to be that team.
There are not many capable/tested centers in this group and class balance is pretty all over the place
I think I'm happy with the center depth as long as they all get essentially slid down a spot.
1C: ???
2C: Ludtke
3C: Humphreys
4C: Moe
5C: B. CullenSomething to this effect I would feel fairly confident about. I'm really hoping Ludtke is back to form on that 2nd line, and that Humphreys can find a groove and maybe work his way into the top 6.
I think Brooks should get some time as the extra skater this year as long as team make up allows... I think it will given how potentially deep the D core may end up being.
No way in hell Moe is your 4th line center next season. He’s ready for a Lamb-like jump in production his sophomore season. I say surround him with talent and he’ll flourish.
Cullen-Mooney-Ziemer
Hendrickson-Moe-Burnevik
Moore-Ludtke-Kvasnicka
Townsend-Humphreys-Pritchard
You can’t roll into the year planning to have Moe as your second line center and expect to be a competitor in the Big Ten. I think he has nice potential and if he eventually proves to be that good in the midst of the season then that’s awesome, but that’s a huge leap from freshmen to sophomore year to just expect.
I think they gotta find a way to find another center. Also think they should try to avoid having to put Mooney at center.
Hot take: Mason Moe is as good of an option at 2C/3C as anyone you’d find in CHL. If he was playing 1st line in the dub instead of 4th line in NCAA last year everyone would have a different opinion.
Everyone sees the numbers Humphreys and Kvasnicka put up and froth at the mouth, and rightfully so they’re good players, but what would they have done in NCAA this year? Any better than Moe?
There are not many capable/tested centers in this group and class balance is pretty all over the place
I think I'm happy with the center depth as long as they all get essentially slid down a spot.
1C: ???
2C: Ludtke
3C: Humphreys
4C: Moe
5C: B. CullenSomething to this effect I would feel fairly confident about. I'm really hoping Ludtke is back to form on that 2nd line, and that Humphreys can find a groove and maybe work his way into the top 6.
I think Brooks should get some time as the extra skater this year as long as team make up allows... I think it will given how potentially deep the D core may end up being.
No way in hell Moe is your 4th line center next season. He’s ready for a Lamb-like jump in production his sophomore season. I say surround him with talent and he’ll flourish.
Cullen-Mooney-Ziemer
Hendrickson-Moe-Burnevik
Moore-Ludtke-Kvasnicka
Townsend-Humphreys-Pritchard
You can’t roll into the year planning to have Moe as your second line center and expect to be a competitor in the Big Ten. I think he has nice potential and if he eventually proves to be that good in the midst of the season then that’s awesome, but that’s a huge leap from freshmen to sophomore year to just expect.
I think they gotta find a way to find another center. Also think they should try to avoid having to put Mooney at center.
Hot take: Mason Moe is as good of an option at 2C/3C as anyone you’d find in CHL. If he was playing 1st line in the dub instead of 4th line in NCAA last year everyone would have a different opinion.
Everyone sees the numbers Humphreys and Kvasnicka put up and froth at the mouth, and rightfully so they’re good players, but what would they have done in NCAA this year? Any better than Moe?
minus that he was really bad taking faceoffs, I have no concerns about his ability to produce points out there at a reasonable clip
agree no idea why we’re slotting Humphreys at center ahead of him when he’s currently been almost exclusively on the wing this year
There are not many capable/tested centers in this group and class balance is pretty all over the place
I think I'm happy with the center depth as long as they all get essentially slid down a spot.
1C: ???
2C: Ludtke
3C: Humphreys
4C: Moe
5C: B. CullenSomething to this effect I would feel fairly confident about. I'm really hoping Ludtke is back to form on that 2nd line, and that Humphreys can find a groove and maybe work his way into the top 6.
I think Brooks should get some time as the extra skater this year as long as team make up allows... I think it will given how potentially deep the D core may end up being.
No way in hell Moe is your 4th line center next season. He’s ready for a Lamb-like jump in production his sophomore season. I say surround him with talent and he’ll flourish.
Cullen-Mooney-Ziemer
Hendrickson-Moe-Burnevik
Moore-Ludtke-Kvasnicka
Townsend-Humphreys-Pritchard
You can’t roll into the year planning to have Moe as your second line center and expect to be a competitor in the Big Ten. I think he has nice potential and if he eventually proves to be that good in the midst of the season then that’s awesome, but that’s a huge leap from freshmen to sophomore year to just expect.
I think they gotta find a way to find another center. Also think they should try to avoid having to put Mooney at center.
Hot take: Mason Moe is as good of an option at 2C/3C as anyone you’d find in CHL. If he was playing 1st line in the dub instead of 4th line in NCAA last year everyone would have a different opinion.
Everyone sees the numbers Humphreys and Kvasnicka put up and froth at the mouth, and rightfully so they’re good players, but what would they have done in NCAA this year? Any better than Moe?
minus that he was really bad taking faceoffs, I have no concerns about his ability to produce points out there at a reasonable clip
agree no idea why we’re slotting Humphreys at center ahead of him when he’s currently been almost exclusively on the wing this year
There are not many capable/tested centers in this group and class balance is pretty all over the place
I think I'm happy with the center depth as long as they all get essentially slid down a spot.
1C: ???
2C: Ludtke
3C: Humphreys
4C: Moe
5C: B. CullenSomething to this effect I would feel fairly confident about. I'm really hoping Ludtke is back to form on that 2nd line, and that Humphreys can find a groove and maybe work his way into the top 6.
I think Brooks should get some time as the extra skater this year as long as team make up allows... I think it will given how potentially deep the D core may end up being.
No way in hell Moe is your 4th line center next season. He’s ready for a Lamb-like jump in production his sophomore season. I say surround him with talent and he’ll flourish.
Cullen-Mooney-Ziemer
Hendrickson-Moe-Burnevik
Moore-Ludtke-Kvasnicka
Townsend-Humphreys-Pritchard
You can’t roll into the year planning to have Moe as your second line center and expect to be a competitor in the Big Ten. I think he has nice potential and if he eventually proves to be that good in the midst of the season then that’s awesome, but that’s a huge leap from freshmen to sophomore year to just expect.
I think they gotta find a way to find another center. Also think they should try to avoid having to put Mooney at center.
Hot take: Mason Moe is as good of an option at 2C/3C as anyone you’d find in CHL. If he was playing 1st line in the dub instead of 4th line in NCAA last year everyone would have a different opinion.
Everyone sees the numbers Humphreys and Kvasnicka put up and froth at the mouth, and rightfully so they’re good players, but what would they have done in NCAA this year? Any better than Moe?
I wasn’t really saying Humphreys was the answer either, we need to grab at least one center. But I do think Humphreys can be a good player right off the bat
There are not many capable/tested centers in this group and class balance is pretty all over the place
I think I'm happy with the center depth as long as they all get essentially slid down a spot.
1C: ???
2C: Ludtke
3C: Humphreys
4C: Moe
5C: B. CullenSomething to this effect I would feel fairly confident about. I'm really hoping Ludtke is back to form on that 2nd line, and that Humphreys can find a groove and maybe work his way into the top 6.
I think Brooks should get some time as the extra skater this year as long as team make up allows... I think it will given how potentially deep the D core may end up being.
No way in hell Moe is your 4th line center next season. He’s ready for a Lamb-like jump in production his sophomore season. I say surround him with talent and he’ll flourish.
Cullen-Mooney-Ziemer
Hendrickson-Moe-Burnevik
Moore-Ludtke-Kvasnicka
Townsend-Humphreys-Pritchard
You can’t roll into the year planning to have Moe as your second line center and expect to be a competitor in the Big Ten. I think he has nice potential and if he eventually proves to be that good in the midst of the season then that’s awesome, but that’s a huge leap from freshmen to sophomore year to just expect.
I think they gotta find a way to find another center. Also think they should try to avoid having to put Mooney at center.
Hot take: Mason Moe is as good of an option at 2C/3C as anyone you’d find in CHL. If he was playing 1st line in the dub instead of 4th line in NCAA last year everyone would have a different opinion.
Everyone sees the numbers Humphreys and Kvasnicka put up and froth at the mouth, and rightfully so they’re good players, but what would they have done in NCAA this year? Any better than Moe?
I wasn’t really saying Humphreys was the answer either, we need to grab at least one center. But I do think Humphreys can be a good player right off the bat
I know I was just using Humphreys and Kvasnicka as a barometer for what a high end CHLer is as two players who have dominated their respective leagues.
agree no idea why we’re slotting Humphreys at center ahead of him when he’s currently been almost exclusively on the wing this year
I won't discount the possibility of slotting him at center if we're going to make line combos sliding guys like Mooney to center.
agree no idea why we’re slotting Humphreys at center ahead of him when he’s currently been almost exclusively on the wing this year
I won't discount the possibility of slotting him at center if we're going to make line combos sliding guys like Mooney to center.
just speaks to the absence of high end center options, agree.
Didn't HATE the bigger leadership groups, but I can say I LOVE the traditional 1 C and 2 A's. And I think they nailed it
https://twitter.com/GopherHockey/status/2046650043478790447
I am the official Iowa Hawkeye football fan of GPL!
Didn't HATE the bigger leadership groups, but I can say I LOVE the traditional 1 C and 2 A's. And I think they nailed it
100% !!
In my humble opinion giving out multiple C's and A's seemed like ego pandering which diluted leadership and accountability.
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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