Under the impression, Bob must think Cooley and others will be enough to get us over the offense lost last year. Can't imagine it would've been to hard to convince smilanic to come to the UM vs UW. Time will tell.
Under the impression, Bob must think Cooley and others will be enough to get us over the offense lost last year. Can’t imagine it would’ve been to hard to convince smilanic to come to the UM vs UW. Time will tell.
He needs at least two BODIES, let alone contributors. He is surely not settling at the moment.
The problem is the last minute (relative to transfer portal) departures absolutely f**ked him.
Under the impression, Bob must think Cooley and others will be enough to get us over the offense lost last year. Can’t imagine it would’ve been to hard to convince smilanic to come to the UM vs UW. Time will tell.
He needs at least two BODIES, let alone contributors. He is surely not settling at the moment. The problem is the last minute (relative to transfer portal) departures absolutely f**ked him.
In the same boat as you, this would be the year to go all out with transfers with a championship level d core.
<p style="text-align: center;">
Changing my tune to let’s get Walker back if we can. I don’t think it would hurt to have some veteran leadership up front. Plus we need the numbers.
As I’ve stated previously, chance of Walker signing a free agent pro deal is 90% & 10% he wants to return & if so, there should be a roster spot for him ☝️
Ya we know
<p style=”text-align: center;”>
Changing my tune to let’s get Walker back if we can. I don’t think it would hurt to have some veteran leadership up front. Plus we need the numbers.
As I’ve stated previously, chance of Walker signing a free agent pro deal is 90% & 10% he wants to return & if so, there should be a roster spot for him
Do you have the 90%/10% in writing from Sammy? If not then people are going to speculate about him until one of two things happens he announces signing a free agent deal or the Gophers fill up their roster with more forwards.
If the Gophers fill up their roster and then Sammy doesn't get a free agent deal this summer I am curious what his back up plan is? Maybe playing in Europe? Would he get a "regular" job?
I would expect Coach is actively looking and figuring out what are the best options to fill the team and isn't likely going to wait for the summer free agent try out period if that is Sammy's plan A.
<p style=”text-align: center;”>
Changing my tune to let’s get Walker back if we can. I don’t think it would hurt to have some veteran leadership up front. Plus we need the numbers.
As I’ve stated previously, chance of Walker signing a free agent pro deal is 90% & 10% he wants to return & if so, there should be a roster spot for him
Do you have the 90%/10% in writing from Sammy? If not then people are going to speculate about him until one of two things happens he announces signing a free agent deal or the Gophers fill up their roster with more forwards. If the Gophers fill up their roster and then Sammy doesn’t get a free agent deal this summer I am curious what his back up plan is? Maybe playing in Europe? Would he get a “regular” job? I woing to wait for the summer free agent try out period if that is Sammy’s plan A.
lol…that’s a rather LARGE HAND with index finger protruding skyward! ?
<p style=”text-align: center;”>
Changing my tune to let’s get Walker back if we can. I don’t think it would hurt to have some veteran leadership up front. Plus we need the numbers.
As I’ve stated previously, chance of Walker signing a free agent pro deal is 90% & 10% he wants to return & if so, there should be a roster spot for him
Do you have the 90%/10% in writing from Sammy? If not then people are going to speculate about him until one of two things happens he announces signing a free agent deal or the Gophers fill up their roster with more forwards. If the Gophers fill up their roster and then Sammy doesn’t get a free agent deal this summer I am curious what his back up plan is? Maybe playing in Europe? Would he get a “regular” job? I woing to wait for the summer free agent try out period if that is Sammy’s plan A.
lol…that’s a rather LARGE HAND with index finger protruding skyward!
I didn't do anything to it. It's the emoji/message you originally posted that I quoted. This has happened other times with that particular emoji since the Board changed. Just to let you know.
<p style=”text-align: center;”>
Changing my tune to let’s get Walker back if we can. I don’t think it would hurt to have some veteran leadership up front. Plus we need the numbers.
As I’ve stated previously, chance of Walker signing a free agent pro deal is 90% & 10% he wants to return & if so, there should be a roster spot for him
Do you have the 90%/10% in writing from Sammy? If not then people are going to speculate about him until one of two things happens he announces signing a free agent deal or the Gophers fill up their roster with more forwards. If the Gophers fill up their roster and then Sammy doesn’t get a free agent deal this summer I am curious what his back up plan is? Maybe playing in Europe? Would he get a “regular” job? I woing to wait for the summer free agent try out period if that is Sammy’s plan A.
lol…that’s a rather LARGE HAND with index finger protruding skyward!
I didn’t do anything to it. It’s the emoji/message you originally posted that I quoted. This has happened other times with that particular emoji since the Board changed. Just to let you know.
EDIT: Now it did it with the laughing emoji you used.
IIRC, the large emojis are a result from quoting a message that used emojis from the phone and not the ones from the site.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
BP figured out how to be more obnoxious 😉
BP figured out how to be more obnoxious 😉
Actually in this particular case…it was unintentional….??
So is the lesson learned here to never quote bearpaw since he uses phone emojis? If so maybe if we never quote him he will post less and we all win (less Bulldog talk). 
And don’t put him anywhere above the third line and he should not sniff the PP unless there is injuries or the game is out of hand. Still don’t like it…
The problem is Brodzinski is slotted into that line, too… Walker-Nelson-Brodzinski sparks ZERO excitement after seeing how often BMW disappeared with McLaughlin who is WAY more dynamic than Nelson.
Into what line 3? I dont need my 3rd line to be exciting I need them to grind and check top end lines from other squads. Walker can do that all day. If he is playing higher than it better be because of injury or WJC or something because he just isn't a good enough scorer to be any higher than that. Maybe his work ethic will make Nelson better or something...
Are you seriously praising Walker and Company for their defensive prowess?
Anyways, my point is they probably can't get much out of those three together, and would need to spread them over other lines which hurts the other players.
Are you seriously praising Walker and Company for their defensive prowess?
If Walker committed to being a PK and PITA winger, then he could have a career ahead of him if he put on just a little more size to battle for loose pucks.
And don’t put him anywhere above the third line and he should not sniff the PP unless there is injuries or the game is out of hand. Still don’t like it…
The problem is Brodzinski is slotted into that line, too… Walker-Nelson-Brodzinski sparks ZERO excitement after seeing how often BMW disappeared with McLaughlin who is WAY more dynamic than Nelson.
How do you already know what line Brodz is slotted into?
Because if he is on the top two lines the team has problems.
As much as I hope Cooley will come in and light up the score sheet every night I kinda doubt his overall impact is significantly better than Senior year Meyers. You also need more than one line no matter how good he is.
I kinda doubt Walker is coming back so unless that happens there’s not much point in discussing it but I agree with what ppl said above for the most part.
Are you seriously praising Walker and Company for their defensive prowess?
If Walker committed to being a PK and PITA winger, then he could have a career ahead of him if he put on just a little more size to battle for loose pucks.
Yeah I think if he was a winger instead of a top 2 center he’d be more free to take risks and not have as much defensive responsibility. As a top 6 center he was just outmatched vs the elite NCAA teams top lines hence some of the frustration we see here. I do think Brodzinski was part of the problem there but it doesn’t explain everything.
Is there an ignore feature?
Bryce is a shooter and not so much a playmaker. He needs someone who wants to pass the puck on his line.
Bryce is a shooter and not so much a playmaker. He needs someone who wants to pass the puck on his line.
Could he play on a line with Huglen and Pitlick? Pitlick is fast and seems to have constant energy while Huglen is a gamer and I feel like he could set Urkel up with Heidi Klum.
Are you seriously praising Walker and Company for their defensive prowess? Anyways, my point is they probably can’t get much out of those three together, and would need to spread them over other lines which hurts the other players.
Praising...no. But he is a grinder and is not awful in his own zone and has the speed to win puck battles. If we take away his need to score and he only focuses on that he will be fine. If he wants any future in hockey that will be his role anyways.
In reality though I would prefer he move on like yesterday.
Wonder if there are any options of a Fin and or a Swede coming across the pond to play this fall?
In what world does gopher hockey lose a potential starting goalie to AIC? Best of luck to him, goodbye to his professional aspirations.
In what world does gopher hockey lose a potential starting goalie to AIC? Best of luck to him, goodbye to his professional aspirations.
Will he start at AIC? I mean we do have a guy returning he played pretty well last year.
In what world does gopher hockey lose a potential starting goalie to AIC? Best of luck to him, goodbye to his professional aspirations.
Will he start at AIC? I mean we do have a guy returning he played pretty well last year.
I love the Close story just as much as the next guy. Is he the goalie that is going to steal us games, no. Could he be a reliable guy, somewhat. Boynton had a decent chance at playing this year and starting the following.
In what world does gopher hockey lose a potential starting goalie to AIC? Best of luck to him, goodbye to his professional aspirations.
Will he start at AIC? I mean we do have a guy returning he played pretty well last year.
I love the Close story just as much as the next guy. Is he the goalie that is going to steal us games, no. Could he be a reliable guy, somewhat. Boynton had a decent chance at playing this year and starting the following.
There has to be a reason Boynton didn't get a sniff last season despite the departure of Lafontaine. Didn't they also dress Bartoszkiewicz ahead of Boynton for some games?
Doubt where he plays impacts his professional aspirations. Wild goalie played at Huntsville of all places. They will find you if you are good enough.
Yeah Boynton didn’t play at all even after Laffer left the team so it’s understandable why he left.
In what world does gopher hockey lose a potential starting goalie to AIC? Best of luck to him, goodbye to his professional aspirations.
I assume close was not on scholarship and now will be. That could have also played into decision on Boynton.
I’m really hoping we have something in Owen B.
Not sure we need 3F’s. Knies, Cooley, Snugerrud Pitlick, Huglen, Kurth _____, Nelson, Brodz Strobel, Pino, Nevers Schmidt, Mittelstadt, _____
Maintaining my sentiment that Pino is the Huglen of this years freshman class. Very good player, flying under the radar. Could play alongside Nelson and Brodz on that third line and do quite well.
In what world does gopher hockey lose a potential starting goalie to AIC? Best of luck to him, goodbye to his professional aspirations.
Will he start at AIC? I mean we do have a guy returning he played pretty well last year.
I love the Close story just as much as the next guy. Is he the goalie that is going to steal us games, no. Could he be a reliable guy, somewhat. Boynton had a decent chance at playing this year and starting the following.
He did? I highly doubt that if he left. If he was likely to play they would have played him some this year after McLaughlin left.
Maybe Close is better than you give him credit for.
McLaughlin?
What?
Laffontaine obviously
I think obviously we should be checking out our options for a good goalie add, but I'm not as concerned as some on here in terms of Close I think he proved himself to be a very solid option in net and it's his net to lose at this point.
Close is a serviceable goalie on a team with an A/A+ defensive unit and an A- forward unit. Sure, they'll be okay with him but having a big A goalie like Chrona/Portillo is one of those things that can put a team over the top. They should be looking for one of those for the pipeline or as a transfer next spring.
Close is a serviceable goalie on a team with an A/A+ defensive unit and an A- forward unit. Sure, they’ll be okay with him but having a big A goalie like Chrona/Portillo is one of those things that can put a team over the top. They should be looking for one of those for the pipeline or as a transfer next spring.
Time for coach to coach.
Yes I mistyped...jesus people it wasn't that hard to figure out what I meant. 
You know for a bunch of people who drool over stats it seems you all are dismissing Close rather easily. I mean the guy had a 92.5% save percentage and gave up less than 2 per game and started every game after He Whose Name I Tend To Forget left the squad to go pro. I would say that warrants a little more than "well if we have to play him we can survive" which is how a bunch of you sound. He isn't Ken Dryden but he isn't Josh Sievebida either...hell Chrona the Great had a 91.1% save percentage and gave up 2.11 goals per game. And because NCHC Superfan#1 will say something like "yeah but he faced the NCHC which was tougher!11!1" Portillo the Conqueror had a 92.7% save percentage and a 2.09 GAA and he played in the same league as Close.
I am not saying we shouldn't have another goalie (I always like a goalie competition unless the guy is Hobey worthy) but this notion that we need some A+ goalie to win is ridiculous. The notion that the team can't win with Close (as of now, the future could obviously prove otherwise) is just laughable.
Who said the team can't win with him?
I'm good with Close. There are plenty of goalies in the transfer portal for backup purposes.
I’m good with Close. There are plenty of goalies in the transfer portal for backup purposes.
At this point they seem to have two scholarship goalies and I'd think they can get a freshman third goalie from MN HS or the NAHL or something. Like I mentioned above, transfer portal can be used if a big time option is available next spring.
Close did a helluva job for us. Did not play well vs Kato, but neither did the rest of the guys.
Close seems fine but we’ve seen goalies like Kangas regress considerably after a short stint of high level play. Ideally at some point this program would find an NHL caliber goalie. Maybe there’s an off chance Bartoskiwiecs can be that guy but I wouldn’t bet on it.
This team is typically built well enough that average goaltending should suffice but it’s just interesting that Wilcox has been the best goalie this program has had since… forever ago.
I would have loved to have Jared Moe right now, having the size I want in a goalie, competing with Close and then Bart in juniors.
I would have loved to have Jared Moe right now...
Huh.
Mat Robson is the best goalie this program has had in a long time he just played behind some really iffy d cores.
I would have loved to have Jared Moe right now…
Huh.
I too wish we had Moe right about now
Some people here seem to think a goalie's size is the main factor on whether they're good. I respectfully disagree.