Grimes continues to be out, and it has been a while. Not word on what the injury is. Hendrickson is at the World Junior A challenge.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Shohei Ohtani has just announced he is signing with Gopher Hockey and Dinkytown Athletes
Shohei Ohtani has just announced he is signing with Gopher Hockey and Dinkytown Athletes
Big, if true.
Shohei Ohtani has just announced he is signing with Gopher Hockey and Dinkytown Athletes
As both a goalie and a forward?
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Jacob Rombach broke the seal on his USHL career last night
https://twitter.com/lincolnstars/status/1733673771532226822?s=46&t=AvtsG2WfNuGRyXzbYJqB7g
Article mostly about Cooley, but he admits that he was pushing LJ Mooney to commit to the Gophers.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
2024 class shaping up nicely. Feels like a group of players who can contribute early yet should be on campus for three to four years.
That plus minus stat is great to hear. I thought he was all offense no defense from what I remember seeing from him so clearly he’s developed over his time in juniors. Should step right in next year.
https://twitter.com/loganjmurphy/status/1735082885588099451?s=46&t=AvtsG2WfNuGRyXzbYJqB7g
August Falloon has been out this weekend for Tri City. Hopefully nothing serious. Still no Matthew Grimes for Sioux Falls either.
Excited for next years incoming group. I know still some salt in the wound due to Eiserman, but great group all things considered:
-3 USNTDP alumni. Zeimer going to be very good and probably overshadowed for awhile by Eiserman’s commitment.
-5 of 6 in top quartile USHL points per game (all 4 forwards and Gruba)
- Pahlsson and Gruba in top 15 pts. Gruba arguably best D in USHL thus far
- Gruba and Falloon bring size and physicality.
-Also believe long term Pahlsson will actually be better for the program in terms of Gopher career impact than Eiserman as he will stay multiple years.
-Barto having a great season
Do we think Bob will use the Covid year on Koster and/or Nevers?
I'd love to get another year out of Koster. Regarding Nevers, I'm sure this will be disputed but honestly I'd rotate him and Pino in/out of the lineup. Nevers has been invisible out there this year, at best.
Do we think Bob will use the Covid year on Koster and/or Nevers?
Guaranteed to lose 3 forwards (Brodzinski, Nelson, Michel). Bringing in 4. If no one leaves early for Pro’s then Nevers isn’t back.
Guaranteed to lose 1 D (Fish). Bringing in 2. If Koster wants to return have to believe there will be a spot. Option would be to tell Begley to go to Juniors.
Optimal scenario for me is Nevers and Koster are back. No one goes pro. Begley and Bryant to Juniors.
I'd love to get another year out of Koster. Regarding Nevers, I'm sure this will be disputed but honestly I'd rotate him and Pino in/out of the lineup. Nevers has been invisible out there this year, at best.
For the record, I wouldn’t bring Nevers back either. Just don’t know what Bob will do. I hope Koster comes back.
I would bring back Nevers. I think people are letting one bad half make them forget the player he has been and can still be. He’s a solid bottom 6 contributor and provides a ton of experience which next year’s team is gonna need up front.
I would bring back Nevers. I think people are letting one bad half make them forget the player he has been and can still be. He’s a solid bottom 6 contributor and provides a ton of experience which next year’s team is gonna need up front.
Fair points. Good on the penalty kill. I could see both sides.
I agree that it's too early to write-off Nevers, but if he doesn't pick it up in the 2nd half all bets are off.
Ok - I'll jump into the speculation game because quite honestly, I like to play:
With 4 incoming forwards, and only 3 guaranteed departures, what is the feeling on a Snuggerud return? His production hasn't been the same without Cooley and Knies to open things up for him. Could he actually make it back for year 3?
Has there been an update on Yakesh's status yet --- see him still listed as a 24 commit but other mentioned or speculated he may not be coming.
Depending on how badly Bob wants the younger Nevers, he'd has to be careful with how he treats Mason, no?
Wondering if 1-2 guys may be hit the portal searching for more playing or a bigger role. I have nothing to base this on, and it may be just wishful thinking.
I hope Pino goes into portal. There will be a lot of players in portal that would be an upgrade. He is a liability out there, his effort and physicality are hard to watch.
I am not the President of the Pino fan club, but he is fine on the 4th line. In my eyes, John M, Strobel and Pino are pretty equal. None of the 3 are tearing it up. If, Bob brings in a new batch of forwards that push Pino down to 13th or 14th forward, the is ok. I just don't get all of the Pino hate this year for someone who really wasn't expected to be a major factor this year. There are plenty of other players this year that concern me more than Pino.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
I used to be a big Pino supporter because I knew what his potential was coming out of high school and juniors. The problem is he hasn’t really backed it at all on the ice.
Perfectly fine with him staying and playing a 4th line role but I could definitely see him portaling to Augustana to play for Raboin who recruited him to St. Cloud and Minnesota. No doubt he’d get better minutes there.
Ok - I'll jump into the speculation game because quite honestly, I like to play:
With 4 incoming forwards, and only 3 guaranteed departures, what is the feeling on a Snuggerud return? His production hasn't been the same without Cooley and Knies to open things up for him. Could he actually make it back for year 3?
It's possible, but I doubt it. As a first-rounder who's probably going to equal or surpass his goal total from last year, the Blues will probably want him in the organization.
I would bring back Mason Nevers just for the PK. He has been slow to get back to game speed after missing the beginning of the season with injury. He has had some chances, but been a bit snakebit. Hopefully he puts some pucks in the net in 2nd half.
Excited for next years incoming group. I know still some salt in the wound due to Eiserman, but great group all things considered:
-3 USNTDP alumni. Zeimer going to be very good and probably overshadowed for awhile by Eiserman’s commitment.
-5 of 6 in top quartile USHL points per game (all 4 forwards and Gruba)
- Pahlsson and Gruba in top 15 pts. Gruba arguably best D in USHL thus far
- Gruba and Falloon bring size and physicality.
-Also believe long term Pahlsson will actually be better for the program in terms of Gopher career impact than Eiserman as he will stay multiple years.
-Barto having a great season
I think the way Barto started the season is really misinforming how good he's been this year. His SV% is at .901 right now.
Agree with your Pahlsson/Eiserman point though. The thing about Eiserman, and the reason he's starting to slip a little in the draft rankings is that he can score A LOT but outside of that his game is a bit of a mess. Scoring is obviously really important but he's got a lot of flaws, and there's a good chance he only wants to be a 1 year college guy.
Ok - I'll jump into the speculation game because quite honestly, I like to play:
With 4 incoming forwards, and only 3 guaranteed departures, what is the feeling on a Snuggerud return? His production hasn't been the same without Cooley and Knies to open things up for him. Could he actually make it back for year 3?
Has there been an update on Yakesh's status yet --- see him still listed as a 24 commit but other mentioned or speculated he may not be coming.
Depending on how badly Bob wants the younger Nevers, he'd has to be careful with how he treats Mason, no?
Wondering if 1-2 guys may be hit the portal searching for more playing or a bigger role. I have nothing to base this on, and it may be just wishful thinking.
I feel like Snuggy signs just based on what Vegoe was saying at the beginning of the year that Jimmy debated signing after Cools signed.
A NHL first round draft pick who is in NCAA hockey should postpone his professional debut for one reason only: if playing extra time moves him up the prospect rankings of his draft team.
A player like Logan Cooley, a 3rd overall selection can do little to improve his prospect standing. He is going to be on the NHL roster and getting regular time from day 1. A player like Matthew Kneis improved his standing by playing an extra season (and staying healthy and improving some parts of his game) so that when he signed with the Leafs he wasn't spending time in AHL. If Knies signs after his freshman year as a 2nd round draft pick he is probably working for a roster spot in the minors.
Snuggerud had a great freshman season, and having a pretty good sophomore season. He is essentially the #2 prospect in the Blues system, and some have him ranked #1. Unless he slumps in the 2nd half or is injured, he will be on the NHL roster the moment he is signed. He is physically and skill wise talented enough to play in the NHL. Whatever skills he needs to develop he can develop at the NHL level with experience.
The probability of Snuggerud returning is extremely low, like 0% low. There was small benefits to play his sophomore season in college, there is no professional benefit to returning for a 3rd and the injury risk alone makes it a no-brainer for Jimmy.
Now, I think that Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel are in different positions than Snuggerud. They have significant development to accomplish before they can look at making a NHL roster.
I am considering Snuggerud a virtual lock to sign. From a hockey perspective, I believe mlhouse is spot on. He has warts in his game but he can work on them as he matures at the next level.
Would imagine Nevers and Koster get the Covid option though feel Nevers would be far more likely to take it.
I feel like Snuggy signs just based on what Vegoe was saying at the beginning of the year that Jimmy debated signing after Cools signed.
I have a hard time seeing Snuggerud come back for another year. Motzko probably only wants him back if he's going to be all in with no doubts, you don't want a guy with one foot in and one foot out. After what happened with Cooley, it's kind of like you want to book him his plane ticket, drive him to the airport and make him turn it down.
I think it'd probably help him to be a three-year college player by rounding out his game so he can jump right into the league as a more complete player. Also being a leader on a team with experience is something that he'll skip unless he sticks around to be one of the older guys. You're seeing how easily Brock Faber has jumped into the NHL by staying three season and it certianly didn't hamper his development by sticking around another year of NCAA hockey. One of the biggest things everyone seems shocked with by Faber this season is how confident he is on the ice, how consistent he his with his decision making and how composed he is talking to the front office, coaches and media.
I rarely see Snuggerud as a guy who drives play when he's on the ice and he's still finding his voice. Snuggerud is a player who is always dangerous with his ability to shoot the puck, but it just feels like there's more there. The one thing that might make the move to the NHL easier is it looks like St. Louis needs a scoring winger. Buchenivich, Kyrou and Saad are a pretty good start -- Snuggerud probably has to compete with another 1st rd pick Jake Neighbours for top six mintues.
https://www.capfriendly.com/depth-charts/blues
Lots of good discussion above. Some of my thoughts:
1. Flipping Gruba and Pahlsson late was huge for this program going forward, and exactly what Bob should be doing. Impact players that should in all accounts be here for 3 or 4 years.
2. Pino has 4 points in 47 games as a Gopher. He’s doesn’t play penalty kill either. I know it’s harsh, but college athletics are a business. The transfer portal should be used for big time programs to strengthen depth.
3. I assume Snuggerud will sign after the season, but I am skeptical of his success in the NHL this early on. He has a hard time generating offense by himself, and leaves things to be desired in the defensive zone. His quick release is a thing of beauty though.
4. Have to wonder how NIL factors into all of this going forward. It is a bizarre world we are living in, and I hope the Gophers are doing their best to keep up.
Pino probably has a higher scholarship than Mittlestadt and Strobel. He is not a fit for the role we have. I think we can find better fit in portal.
Barto’s play of late has been concerning. 7 of last 9 starts under .900 save percentage. A few goals he’s allowed looked pretty weak. Hopefully just a small slump. Hampton Slukynsky looks like the better goalie, too bad we couldn’t flip him.
The way the USHL is now, .900 is a good save percentage in that league and .910 is phenomenal. It's not the USHL of 10 years ago in that department.
I think Snuggerud will need some time in Springfield before he's ready to be a full-time Blue. But I also think there isn't much that can be gained from him staying a third year in college for someone in his position that can't be gained from getting accustomed to the pros.
If he was down the list of Blue's prospects, maybe that would be the case and it still might be. However, if you look at their forward prospects he is essentially their #2 prospect behind their 2023 10th overall selection Dalibor Dvorsky. I would also add that the Blues roster has several players they brought in as 19 - 20 years old at the NHL level so they have some history of patience developing young forwards.
A guy like Brock Faber and lets not forget Jackson Lacombe, staying an extra year in college moved them up a level as prospects in their organizations. Remember that they were 2nd round draft picks so their situation started much differently and if Snuggerud was a 2nd round guy staying a 3rd year at the U might make some sense, even with the injury risk. If Snuggie were a 2nd round guy he would not be assured a roster spot with the NHL club to start. He may play himself out of that spot and more weaknesses may be exposed at a higher level, but that is independent of the decision to turn pro.
Also, I think that Jimmy's elite shot and release should flourish in the NHL when he is playing with more advanced playmakers. If he gets his shots on goal, he could quickly develop into a 25+ goal scorer.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
I’ll echo what others have said about next year’s freshman class. It has the chance to be a really sneaky good class top to bottom despite not having a first round pick in the litter for the first time in quite awhile.
The best part about the group? IMO it’s that every one of them project to be 4 year college players. Who in that group would sign an NHL deal after 3 years? Undrafted Pahlsson and undrafted Gruba would probably be your best bets. Still there’s a chance this group makes it from freshman year to senior year all in one piece. When’s the last time that happened?
A great early Christmas Gift
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Great news. He must be accelerating as well given timing of commitment.
Jacob Kvasnicka commits to the Gophers.
What do we know about this kid?
Well he is just a year older than my kid which is amazing since my kid is still a Bantam and Jacob is committing to the Gophers. He has to be accelerated.
16 years old. 5'10" 160 lb Forward.
Played Wayzata HS as a freshman and scored 45 points in 28 games.
Plays for USNDT U17 team this year.
Geez. Scored 89 points in 48 games as a Wayzata Bantam AA (as an assumed 1st year Bantam)
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/855923/jacob-kvasnicka
Great add. Recruiting always has and always will be a strength of Motzko. Looks like he accelerated to come in with Mace’o Phillips and LJ Mooney
Awesome pickup, great player.
Well we didn’t have to wonder when we’ll get another Wayzata player on the team very long!
Confirmation on acceleration and an answer to the connection with the baseball playing Kvasnickas
https://twitter.com/YouthHockeyHub/status/1737897995859853587?s=20
Looks like a Bohemian name. Already my favorite!
Sweet!! That will be a fun incoming class!
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