@gopher-fan-26 as of what we’ve seen so far, I’d expect Moore and Wood both back. Kurth will also be back unless he wants to move on, which I’d doubt as he’s not an NHL caliber guy at least at this point.
Lamb I think is an interesting question as he hasn’t been real high on any prospect boards I’ve seen but he’s really blossomed this year. Don’t think it’s a big push from the rangers to sign him though as he’d probably slot AHL and they’ll maybe feel they can wait on him.
I agree on Moore just not quite ready yet. Wood would be a huge suprise, very low percentage of players first round don't sign to their drafted team... There will be a chance for one if not both kurth and lamb to sign so we'll see how it plays out
I agree it would be odd, but i also don’t know if i see Nashville telling him he’s slotting into the nhl right away and he’s very young at 19. Definitely is one I could see coming back and then having his pick of the best situation for him
It is doubtful that a first round draft pick will play his 4th eligible college year. The Predators will not want to lose a prospect they spent such a high pick on and it is significantly to Matt's advantage to get his contract signed as soon as possible to start the clock ticking on his second NHL contract.
It would be different if Wood wasn't having a good season and that there were issues he could correct. But he can fix those at the AHL level.
Lamb is a different story as a 4th round pick. Staying his senior year would allow him to both improve his value and also choose an organization with the most potential for him.
Bob should tell Potulny to keep his paws off of Lamb! 😂 (Rangers AHL coach)
I’d love Bobby Cowan as an option for next year. Recent decommit from UST.
Cowan has been fantastic at Madison this year. Curious if he winds up at a blue blood soon. Tough loss for St. Thomas.
Looks like he is playing on the same line as Nevers too. 23 points in 19 games, among the top in the USHL. Seems like a no-brainer that Motzko would be pushing hard to get him in a Gophers jersey.
Seems Kyle Heger may have decommitted from UMass, deleted his commitment post at least. Wonder if the gophers have any interest. Leading his Shattuck prep team in points for defensemen. He’s a senior but a late 07 who’s not draft eligible until 2026, don’t know if he accelerated or that’s always been his class but could be one to keep an eye on.
I could be very wrong, but it seems like the Gophers have not had a lot of commits from Shattuck of late.
I could be very wrong, but it seems like the Gophers have not had a lot of commits from Shattuck of late.
There was a bunch of Shattuck players at Mariucci this past weekend. I saw Gordon take them downstairs before the game. I'm bad at guessing ages, so I don't know what age group they were.
Looking down from my High Horse
Morality Police
Not very objective
I see that Chmiel from Shattuck u16's committed to Arizona State last week.
Seems Kyle Heger may have decommitted from UMass, deleted his commitment post at least. Wonder if the gophers have any interest. Leading his Shattuck prep team in points for defensemen. He’s a senior but a late 07 who’s not draft eligible until 2026, don’t know if he accelerated or that’s always been his class but could be one to keep an eye on.
Well, he wasn't listed on NXT's tweet about UMass recruits. Sorenson from Shattuck still listed as one of 11 defensemen....seems excessive
I could be very wrong, but it seems like the Gophers have not had a lot of commits from Shattuck of late.
Chesley, Ziemer and Whipple but idk if you count those as recent. Eiserman before he decommited. Katz is the only current one.
Noel ohgren want to stay in MN with his brother on the wild? Not huge ushl numbers but could be a good find
Noel ohgren want to stay in MN with his brother on the wild? Not huge ushl numbers but could be a good find
Hopefully Pahlsson can put in a good word. He’s been a point per game guy with Cedar Rapids albeit small sample size.
I could be very wrong, but it seems like the Gophers have not had a lot of commits from Shattuck of late.
There was a bunch of Shattuck players at Mariucci this past weekend. I saw Gordon take them downstairs before the game. I'm bad at guessing ages, so I don't know what age group they were.
According to an SSM dad that I know, that was the u16's at the Gopher game. That team is really good.
Led by Nolan Fitzhenry! I would bet he’s a high priority.
Fitzhenry looks like a player all the blue bloods will be in on come August 1st. Would be a huge get.
Seems Kyle Heger may have decommitted from UMass, deleted his commitment post at least. Wonder if the gophers have any interest. Leading his Shattuck prep team in points for defensemen. He’s a senior but a late 07 who’s not draft eligible until 2026, don’t know if he accelerated or that’s always been his class but could be one to keep an eye on.
I see on twitter that Heger has committed to Western Michigan
With the state field set. Guys to keep an eye on next week. Who’s going to be the player everyone wants after the tourney? I’m hoping Blake Vanek takes off and earns the scholarship a week from today, I think he just keeps getting better and better. I also have a feeling people will be wondering if we can flip Mason Kraft from Mankato.
Ben Geiger (SO) - Northfield
Jackson Knight (SR) - Orono
Ryker Dunbar (FR) - Mahtomedi
Griffin Sturm (SR) - SCC
Cole Swanson (FR) - Hibbing
Whitaker Rewertz (FR) - Hibbing
Jackson Strukel (SO) - Hibbing
Ernst brothers (JR & SR) - LS
Jack Kultgen (SR) - Shakopee
Jackson Rudh (SR) - STA
Blake Vanek (SR) - Stillwater
Brody Dustin (SR) - Stillwater
Jonas Kohn (JR) - Stillwater
Brock Cheslock (JR) - Rogers
Matt Hauser (JR) - Rogers
Caleb Pittsley (JR) - Edina
Mason West (JR) - Edina
Freddie Schneider (SO) - Edina
Becker Wenkus (FR) - Edina
Owen Lutgen (JR) - Andover
KJ Sauer (JR) - Andover
Brandon Mickelson (JR) - Moorhead
Zac Zimmerman (SO) - Moorhead
I would guess there is hope to flip Cooper Simpson as well.. Also questions about Zimmerman and Schneider, who cannot commit until August.
As for names people will want, Vanek, Carson Steinhoff, and Mason West are my picks.
Jackson Rudh another strong candidate. Motzko has received commitments from high school players (both Nevers, Townsend, Moore, etc.) but otherwise has often wanted to see production post-HS. Would guess they show some patience.
I love the breadth, but doubt the depth.
The recruiting pipeline and alumni ties only lead me to think Vanek and West are real considerations. Though, I'd love to see Rogers/Andover/Shakopee/greater metro kids start committing as those programs grow. The northern Minnie kids are unlikely odds. UND/UMD/SCSU seem to scoop them up unless they leave for Denver. As for single A studs, they are lottery picks. I love when they hit, but they are rare (a la Ben Meyers).
Blake Vanek is NOT Gopher material!
Formerly known as davey j.
Blake Vanek is NOT Gopher material!
I was hoping I wasn’t the only one who felt this way. I know we all want to see a Vanek in a Gopher jersey again so sometimes we convince ourselves he’s better than he actually is. Don’t get me wrong he’s a good high school player and is gonna play college hockey somewhere but we’d be lowering our standards to offer a player like Blake Vanek which I just can’t get behind.
Single A players to watch:
Ben Geiger D, Northfield So.
Jackson Strukel D, Hibbing So.
Cole Swanson F, Hibbing Fr.
AA players:
Jackson Rudh F, STA Sr.
Carson Steinhoff D, Shakopoee Sr.
Zac Zimmerman F, Moorhead So.
Brandon Mickelson D, Moorhead Jr.
Mason West F, Edina Jr.
Freddie Schneider F, Edina So.
Blake Vanek F, Stillwater Sr. (despite my previous post)
I would imagine they are in wait and see mode to see how he fares in juniors. Big forwards can have a longer developmental path. I am totally good with showing patience on a lot of these prospects. I trust the staff to identify who will be a good fit.
ETA: With relation to Vanek.
He is a lethal scorer when he has time and space but isn’t a good enough skater, even at the hs level, to create time and space…not against good competition anyway!
I forgot his name, but #15 on Stillwater really impressed me against HM. #3 (Friedenburg) has a nice future too! The Dustin kid definitely has a D1 future, but will probably require a year or two in jrs.
Formerly known as davey j.
I would be disappointed if they flipped Simpson. His body language is pathetic! Ive seen hem play for 10 years - his talent is undeniable, but his attitude and effort have always been in question!
Formerly known as davey j.
#15 for Stillwater is Luca Jarvis. He is the teams bes D1 prospect. IMOHe is a lethal scorer when he has time and space but isn’t a good enough skater, even at the hs level, to create time and space…not against good competition anyway!
I forgot his name, but #15 on Stillwater really impressed me against HM. #3 (Friedenburg) has a nice future too! The Dustin kid definitely has a D1 future, but will probably require a year or two in jrs.
I would be disappointed if they flipped Simpson. His body language is pathetic! Ive seen hem play for 10 years - his talent is undeniable, but his attitude and effort have always been in question!
I don't think it is really in play. Just imagine people will be lamenting him as a miss during the tourney.
Also Jaxon Nelson and Brody LambAs for single A studs, they are lottery picks. I love when they hit, but they are rare (a la Ben Meyers).
Are the Kohn and Dustin player for Stillwater also sons of former Gophers Billy and Bobby?
Are the Canadian Jr players coming to NCAA or was that overblown?
Are the Canadian Jr players coming to NCAA or was that overblown?
They have been committing for months now. The big time players haven’t been committing yet so naturally the blue been schools have been quiet. The big dogs are expected to start committing at the end of their juniors seasons. Should be a hectic April/May.
Also Jaxon Nelson and Brody LambAs for single A studs, they are lottery picks. I love when they hit, but they are rare (a la Ben Meyers).
And Kurth
“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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Calling Kurth a Single A hockey product is way off in multiple ways.
@bertogliat Dustin definitely has a D1 future, but Kohn is more of a skater than a hockey player. He has everything you want in a player except for hockey sense and processor speed.
Formerly known as davey j.
Vanek is not gopher material.
I think too many people expect him to be his dad…
Vanek is not gopher material.
I mean maybe not, but same could probably be said for Jack Ramsey, the Nevers and plenty others.
Big kid but would absolutely be one who would need 2-3 years juniors and come in as a 3rd-4th liner. Sometimes these bigger guys develop real late. not saying we offer him, but also not discarding him. I'm in agreement with @bluebandit24 on this one
Also with Bob having recruited Thomas, I have to imagine there was been discussions about Blake and his other two sons.
Maybe he could go to Augustana for a year to hone his skills and then transfer to the Gophers.Big kid but would absolutely be one who would need 2-3 years juniors and come in as a 3rd-4th liner. Sometimes these bigger guys develop real late. not saying we offer him, but also not discarding him. I'm in agreement with @bluebandit24 on this one
Say it with me now...
MASON WEST!
Come on kid - hockey is way more fun than football.
Say it with me now...
MASON WEST!
Come on kid - hockey is way more fun than football.
given his Twitter is his football stuff pinned, he may end up like ratzlaff
Zack Zimmerman would look good in maroon and gold
Zimmerman and Mason West are both legit
@mikeeruzione11 100%. Schneider and Conway have looked great too.
Yes they should both be on the radar also.
Say it with me now...
MASON WEST!
Come on kid - hockey is way more fun than football.
given his Twitter is his football stuff pinned, he may end up like ratzlaff
He was a beast out there tonight. He has speed, a good shot, good edges, good net front, and can play rough. Not bad for a 17 year old.
I don't how his football skills compare to hockey, but he reminds me of a young Bjugstad, only more physical.