@mlhouse tBob turned 64 in March & has been the HC for 8 years (so far). I’d say he has 2 more years left in the tank, but after that, it’s imperative Gophers move forward with a new HC. Hopefully tBob is wise enough to realize this too!
don’t think Bob is that arrogant. I won’t be surprised if he’s done after this next year or at least in the next 2–3
Bob’s a good coach. But 10 years (when after year 8 you’ve already turned 64 years old) constitutes an ample run…even if your contract runs through year 11 And they’ll clearly pay him threw 2028, under any circumstances.
If there are 3 elite Minnesota recruits in a class, the Gophers need to get 2 out of the 3.
While we as Gophers fans would love for that to be true, it's not 1985 anymore. Hell it's not 2005 anymore. There is plenty of competition now within the state, the best players are not always Metro players of which the Gophers used to be able to dominate, and more programs outside MN are recruiting MN harder than they ever have because those programs know how elite MN talent generally is.
Motzko might have to go, but many fans need a reality check on the bigger picture. Especially if MN is going to be severely outpaced via NLI.
@mlhouse tBob turned 64 in March & has been the HC for 8 years (so far). I’d say he has 2 more years left in the tank, but after that, it’s imperative Gophers move forward with a new HC. Hopefully tBob is wise enough to realize this too!
Agreed. I’d say at the latest he retires after his contract runs out after 2027-28 giving him at most 3 more years at the helm. Could see it happen before then too. I’ve enjoyed his tenure so far but you’d be kidding yourself if you said things haven’t been slipping a little lately.
Getting a (hopefully) younger coach in here will be exciting too. I can’t help but think that Grant Potulny leaving Northern to head coach in the AHL seems like a resume building move designed to target the next Gopher opening. Maybe he knows it’s sooner rather than later. He’ll be a top 3 name certainly.
@mlhouse tBob turned 64 in March & has been the HC for 8 years (so far). I’d say he has 2 more years left in the tank, but after that, it’s imperative Gophers move forward with a new HC. Hopefully tBob is wise enough to realize this too!
Agreed. I’d say at the latest he retires after his contract runs out after 2027-28 giving him at most 3 more years at the helm. Could see it happen before then too. I’ve enjoyed his tenure so far but you’d be kidding yourself if you said things haven’t been slipping a little lately.
Getting a (hopefully) younger coach in here will be exciting too. I can’t help but think that Grant Potulny leaving Northern to head coach in the AHL seems like a resume building move designed to target the next Gopher opening. Maybe he knows it’s sooner rather than later. He’ll be a top 3 name certainly.
our coaching pipeline is pretty underwhelming. Potulny will certainly be a name thrown around because of the one of us argument. Raboin probably as well. Barr I'm sure will get some run given he's from MN.
Regardless of who it is, I hope they also hire someone as a GM for the program who helps to serve as a director of scouting and recruiting. It's an awful lot given how expansive the network of options are now and allows you another space to have someone with additional connection be available.
Regardless of who it is, I hope they also hire someone as a GM for the program who helps to serve as a director of scouting and recruiting. It's an awful lot given how expansive the network of options are now and allows you another space to have someone with additional connection be available.
Man talk about some names I have not heard in awhile. I am not saying Motzko is above criticism in recruiting and perhaps his patience can be a detriment, but he has avoided those types for the most part (Hayden Reid may be an exception).
Man talk about some names I have not heard in awhile. I am not saying Motzko is above criticism in recruiting and perhaps his patience can be a detriment, but he has avoided those types for the most part (Hayden Reid may be an exception).
The Hayden Reid commitment boggles me to this day. Usually when Gopher hockey grabs an out-of-stater (heaven forbid a Canadian) they’re almost always a big time player (Vanek, Haula, Cooley) not a bottom 6 juniors overager. Feel like you could fill Reid’s spot with a million willing and able Minnesotans.
Man talk about some names I have not heard in awhile. I am not saying Motzko is above criticism in recruiting and perhaps his patience can be a detriment, but he has avoided those types for the most part (Hayden Reid may be an exception).
The Hayden Reid commitment boggles me to this day. Usually when Gopher hockey grabs an out-of-stater (heaven forbid a Canadian) they’re almost always a big time player (Vanek, Haula, Cooley) not a bottom 6 juniors overager. Feel like you could fill Reid’s spot with a million willing and able Minnesotans.
One of those players is the son a former GPL poster who is a big Bulldogs fan. Good player, but not likely a Gopher recruit due to dad's hatred of the program.... 😆
If he were to get to the D1 level and play for the Bulldogs his dad will be uncontrollable.....
One of those players is the son a former GPL poster who is a big Bulldogs fan. Good player, but not likely a Gopher recruit due to dad's hatred of the program.... 😆
If he were to get to the D1 level and play for the Bulldogs his dad will be uncontrollable.....
One of those players is the son a former GPL poster who is a big Bulldogs fan. Good player, but not likely a Gopher recruit due to dad's hatred of the program.... 😆
If he were to get to the D1 level and play for the Bulldogs his dad will be uncontrollable.....
"Insufferable" may be the right word. 😆
“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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One of those players is the son a former GPL poster who is a big Bulldogs fan. Good player, but not likely a Gopher recruit due to dad's hatred of the program.... 😆
If he were to get to the D1 level and play for the Bulldogs his dad will be uncontrollable.....
"Insufferable" may be the right word. 😆
What are the odds on him running around Amsoil with a red light on his head at 50+ years old? It may be entertaining.
The following year has more moving parts and we should then in theory have a noisier August.
Bingo.
I think there's an expectation of less turnover coming up for the roster. Only so much space to go around. More opportunities for some of these guys to play sooner in a more elevated role elsewhere. Might lead to a dip in performance this coming season, but as long as this August is more fruitful, you'll take the potential for the short term hit, especially since it sounds like the coaching staff was down on the previous round anyways.
If you look at the roster the quiet class last year makes more sense:
Grimes and Phillips for Lmitts and Thomas
Kvasnicka in for Lamb
Nevers in for Jmitts
Wildcards are if Ludtke and/or Ziemer go pro early.
The following year has more moving parts and we should then in theory have a noisier August.
Trust in Bob.
The big question mark is Ludtke. No one really knows what to expect cause we haven’t seen him yet but he’s really the only questionable early signing for next season. I could see with him missing as much time as he did last year wanting to play out his two years here. Then again if he pops as a junior I can see Utah come calling and not want him to reach free agency the summer after 26-27.
Ziemer leaving after 2 years isn’t even a possibility imo. Buffalo knew the path for him would be 3-4 years in college.
I feel like Sam Rinzel’s development curve is the best recruiting pitch for Ben Geiger. Two very similar players. Tall, lanky, very raw right shot defenseman out of high school. All it took for Rinzel was 2 years at Minnesota and he stepped right into an NHL top pair. The coaching staff has to be bringing that up with Geiger.
I feel like Sam Rinzel’s development curve is the best recruiting pitch for Ben Geiger. Two very similar players. Tall, lanky, very raw right shot defenseman out of high school. All it took for Rinzel was 2 years at Minnesota and he stepped right into an NHL top pair. The coaching staff has to be bringing that up with Geiger.
Agreed! Geiger really seems like the type of D that Bob and Miller have coveted and had major success with recently. Hopefully they have another example in Rombach too.
I feel like Sam Rinzel’s development curve is the best recruiting pitch for Ben Geiger. Two very similar players. Tall, lanky, very raw right shot defenseman out of high school. All it took for Rinzel was 2 years at Minnesota and he stepped right into an NHL top pair. The coaching staff has to be bringing that up with Geiger.
Rinzel was an EXCEPTIONAL player. Anybody will be lucky to match that level of skill & ability (but with that said) best of luck to Geiger.
Looked at the NTDP players' follow lists and Johnson, Fitzhenry, Thoreson, Scott, and Geiger, plus non-MN Brayden Willis and Rocco Pelosi follow the Gophers. All seven of those players follow other teams too but I just wanted to throw that out there.
