Larson on Mike Grimm’s podcast today: “We’ve already been up to Canada since I took the job. There is a couple players we are targeting that we think can help us right now, hopefully that pans out”
I love the sound of that!
Sounds like DuPont to me. Dont have enough in the NIL bank to outbid the sinking ship in Pennsylvania, but there’s still plenty attractive about playing here next season. Plus isn’t his girlfriend playing for Mankato?
I’d put high odds on Bode Laylin playing for the gophers next year.
2027-28 I think
was going to say this. He'll be 18-19 and a probable mid-late round pick (based on prior central scouting ranking). Maybe he and dad want him to come in, but he's almost 2 years younger than say someone like Huff or many of the other rumored possible transfer targets.
Bringing in freshmen at 18 should become a thing of the past outside of the Cullen, Mooney, Ziemer types.
Another thing wrong with modern college hockey. The proper pipeline for college hockey players should be high school ---> college. If everyone is 18-19 year old freshman then they would be "ready". This pretense that the entire level of intercollegiate hockey should be elevated and incoming freshman at 20 years old is ridiculous. It diverts the kids from high school programs and high school education, away from their families, and away from their communities.
If going from high school to the University of Minnesota was good enough for Cory Laylin, it is good enough for Bode Laylin. College hockey was a great program then. We should return to that standard.
I’d put high odds on Bode Laylin playing for the gophers next year.
2027-28 I think
was going to say this. He'll be 18-19 and a probable mid-late round pick (based on prior central scouting ranking). Maybe he and dad want him to come in, but he's almost 2 years younger than say someone like Huff or many of the other rumored possible transfer targets.
Bringing in freshmen at 18 should become a thing of the past outside of the Cullen, Mooney, Ziemer types.
Another thing wrong with modern college hockey. The proper pipeline for college hockey players should be high school ---> college. If everyone is 18-19 year old freshman then they would be "ready". This pretense that the entire level of intercollegiate hockey should be elevated and incoming freshman at 20 years old is ridiculous. It diverts the kids from high school programs and high school education, away from their families, and away from their communities.
If going from high school to the University of Minnesota was good enough for Cory Laylin, it is good enough for Bode Laylin. College hockey was a great program then. We should return to that standard.
one of the things I always agreed with tDon on.
tbh, if they get 5 years, I don’t know how much it would change the age of college players, you just may only see them on campus for 3 of those 5. 20 year olds still are going to have a massive advantage over an 18 year old unless they’re top tier. The difference between 20-24 is less stark
the diverting kids away from HS maybe applies in MN, but much of the rest of the country the HS circuit number of games and resources outside of season is pretty paltry compared to juniors. Feel like juniors growth is part of why you’ve seen some kids come back as they have easy access now finally to jump into a junior roster pre and post season, but for many, they need to commit earlier to have a roster spot. In ND most can’t jump on that way. Ditto for Michigan who only has one ushl team and a kid could play chl instead and get way more guaranteed games and coaching.
Unless college hockey in general goes to a standard for age for freshmen, we should continue to make decisions on a case-by-case basis. I get the notion of wanting everybody to bring in 18-year-old recent HS graduates... but not if it isn't universal.
Bringing in kids simply because of where they are in their schooling regardless of readiness while everybody else does as they please is basically tying a hand behind your back competitively. That's exactly the kind of thinking that got this program in a mess during the last few years under Doug Woog. Case by case is totally understandable. But the idea that we should just do it for the sake of doing it is misguided to me.
I’d put high odds on Bode Laylin playing for the gophers next year.
2027-28 I think
was going to say this. He'll be 18-19 and a probable mid-late round pick (based on prior central scouting ranking). Maybe he and dad want him to come in, but he's almost 2 years younger than say someone like Huff or many of the other rumored possible transfer targets.
Bringing in freshmen at 18 should become a thing of the past outside of the Cullen, Mooney, Ziemer types.
Another thing wrong with modern college hockey. The proper pipeline for college hockey players should be high school ---> college. If everyone is 18-19 year old freshman then they would be "ready". This pretense that the entire level of intercollegiate hockey should be elevated and incoming freshman at 20 years old is ridiculous. It diverts the kids from high school programs and high school education, away from their families, and away from their communities.
If going from high school to the University of Minnesota was good enough for Cory Laylin, it is good enough for Bode Laylin. College hockey was a great program then. We should return to that standard.
there aren’t enough D1 hockey programs around to absorb the amount of D1 caliber players on a “regular”, 18y/o freshmen timeline. Probably won’t change in our lifetimes either
I’d put high odds on Bode Laylin playing for the gophers next year.
2027-28 I think
was going to say this. He'll be 18-19 and a probable mid-late round pick (based on prior central scouting ranking). Maybe he and dad want him to come in, but he's almost 2 years younger than say someone like Huff or many of the other rumored possible transfer targets.
Bringing in freshmen at 18 should become a thing of the past outside of the Cullen, Mooney, Ziemer types.
Another thing wrong with modern college hockey. The proper pipeline for college hockey players should be high school ---> college. If everyone is 18-19 year old freshman then they would be "ready". This pretense that the entire level of intercollegiate hockey should be elevated and incoming freshman at 20 years old is ridiculous. It diverts the kids from high school programs and high school education, away from their families, and away from their communities.
If going from high school to the University of Minnesota was good enough for Cory Laylin, it is good enough for Bode Laylin. College hockey was a great program then. We should return to that standard.
”If it was good enough in the 80’s then it’s good enough now” is exactly the type of stubborn thinking that holds this program back at times. Late to adjust to the transfer portal, late to CHL, late to NIL, etc.
Older teams win in college hockey. The extra year of juniors is big for so many of these players. We can argue whether it’s right for college athletics or not but that’s a totally different discussion. Bringing in freshmen at 18 to feel some sort of sense of superiority over others is meaningless. Adjust with the times.
I’d put high odds on Bode Laylin playing for the gophers next year.
2027-28 I think
was going to say this. He'll be 18-19 and a probable mid-late round pick (based on prior central scouting ranking). Maybe he and dad want him to come in, but he's almost 2 years younger than say someone like Huff or many of the other rumored possible transfer targets.
Bringing in freshmen at 18 should become a thing of the past outside of the Cullen, Mooney, Ziemer types.
Another thing wrong with modern college hockey. The proper pipeline for college hockey players should be high school ---> college. If everyone is 18-19 year old freshman then they would be "ready". This pretense that the entire level of intercollegiate hockey should be elevated and incoming freshman at 20 years old is ridiculous. It diverts the kids from high school programs and high school education, away from their families, and away from their communities.
If going from high school to the University of Minnesota was good enough for Cory Laylin, it is good enough for Bode Laylin. College hockey was a great program then. We should return to that standard.
”If it was good enough in the 80’s then it’s good enough now” is exactly the type of stubborn thinking that holds this program back at times. Late to adjust to the transfer portal, late to CHL, late to NIL, etc.
Older teams win in college hockey. The extra year of juniors is big for so many of these players. We can argue whether it’s right for college athletics or not but that’s a totally different discussion. Bringing in freshmen at 18 to feel some sort of sense of superiority over others is meaningless. Adjust with the times.
yep older teams win championships, Losing to Union and Quinnipiac shows up
Aloha!
That's why he said it's what's wrong with college hockey, ie it's basically the only college sport that's like this bringing in older freshmen.
I’d put high odds on Bode Laylin playing for the gophers next year.
2027-28 I think
was going to say this. He'll be 18-19 and a probable mid-late round pick (based on prior central scouting ranking). Maybe he and dad want him to come in, but he's almost 2 years younger than say someone like Huff or many of the other rumored possible transfer targets.
Bringing in freshmen at 18 should become a thing of the past outside of the Cullen, Mooney, Ziemer types.
Another thing wrong with modern college hockey. The proper pipeline for college hockey players should be high school ---> college. If everyone is 18-19 year old freshman then they would be "ready". This pretense that the entire level of intercollegiate hockey should be elevated and incoming freshman at 20 years old is ridiculous. It diverts the kids from high school programs and high school education, away from their families, and away from their communities.
If going from high school to the University of Minnesota was good enough for Cory Laylin, it is good enough for Bode Laylin. College hockey was a great program then. We should return to that standard.
”If it was good enough in the 80’s then it’s good enough now” is exactly the type of stubborn thinking that holds this program back at times. Late to adjust to the transfer portal, late to CHL, late to NIL, etc.
Older teams win in college hockey. The extra year of juniors is big for so many of these players. We can argue whether it’s right for college athletics or not but that’s a totally different discussion. Bringing in freshmen at 18 to feel some sort of sense of superiority over others is meaningless. Adjust with the times.
yep older teams win championships, Losing to Union and Quinnipiac shows up
it was not our youth that lost us the 2023 title game
That's why he said it's what's wrong with college hockey, ie it's basically the only college sport that's like this bringing in older freshmen.
while I get what you’re saying, many of these rosters in say bball and football are learning they’d rather have lower tier schools break in players then take them in the portal at high impact spots. Michigans entire starting 5 were transfers and UConn’s whole team were basically upperclassmen.
if you start the clock right away, you’re still going to run into the same thing regarding physical maturity. I like the capping the top age aspect of this, but I still don’t know if it’s going to lead to bringing in and playing a bunch of young guys across the board. You just may see them play less years of college hockey (ie leave them in jr until their 2nd or 3rd year and they’d still have 3 or 4 to play)
Not sure if he’s been mentioned but this is the only St. Cloud recruit that intrigues me (excluding Hawke Huff).
Maybe Kade Stengrim for future years.
https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/597833/brock-souch
Sounds like DuPont to me.
Is there any real traction on someone like DuPont considering Minnesota?
Sounds like DuPont to me.
Is there any real traction on someone like DuPont considering Minnesota?
There’s zero traction on who Dupont is considering at all
You've got at least a couple weeks until this gets worked out. I get the feeling all the big schools will save a spot for him.
Axel Lofgren may be a new commit?
https://twitter.com/nathanpstrauss/status/2042254143444627770?s=46
6'4" and 201. Blue line could be massive. 33 points for Fargo in USHL. Can't say I know anything about him. Sweden native.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24131129/gallery_image.JPG "Hey_Sioux_Suck")
6'4" and 201. Blue line could be massive. 33 points for Fargo in USHL. Can't say I know anything about him. Sweden native.
For us, Forwards Bo Cosman and 2022 7th round pick of the Red Wings Owen Mehlenbacher are hitting the portal.
Not portal related but defenseman Axel Löfgren who was committed to us for this upcoming season has decommitted and is heading to Minnesota (I don't know if this means the school or just to one of the schools in the State)
A comment on Reddit Collegehockey regarding portal rumors
Fargo Force so Cullen knows him well.
Hearing buzz from some around the Force he's flipping yes, specifically to Gophs.
This time of year reminds me of the State Hockey Tourney where every player who scores a goal should be a Gopher. Now, every time a player hits the portal, the Gophers should go after him. If only the Gophers had a 100 player roster.
I actually give a @#$* about the Twins
Looking down from my High Horse
Morality Police
Now, every time a player hits the portal, the Gophers should go after him
The Gophers have a 15-man 1st line, didn't you get the memo?
This time of year reminds me of the State Hockey Tourney where every player who scores a goal should be a Gopher. Now, every time a player hits the portal, the Gophers should go after him. If only the Gophers had a 100 player roster.
Especially the guys on Twitter that have something Gophers in their name/handle. I don’t think we have room for 75 guys.
A name to watch in August
https://twitter.com/whlsilvertips/status/2041294509372510397?s=46&t=AvtsG2WfNuGRyXzbYJqB7g
amy particular reason to say that any more than another?
His grandpa is Neal Broten.
I can see it!
We could definitely use a new Axel
Like when Wisco was recruiting 30 guys per year.This time of year reminds me of the State Hockey Tourney where every player who scores a goal should be a Gopher. Now, every time a player hits the portal, the Gophers should go after him. If only the Gophers had a 100 player roster.
Especially the guys on Twitter that have something Gophers in their name/handle. I don’t think we have room for 75 guys.
Tanner Hendricks removed his St. Cloud tag from his instagram and is following the gophers which I don’t think he was before.
Tanner Hendricks removed his St. Cloud tag from his instagram and is following the gophers which I don’t think he was before.
He was following us before that, but still the writing is on the wall.
Tarin Smith now follows Gophers, would be a huge pick-up by himself….but is also DuPont’s D partner.
Tarin Smith now follows Gophers, would be a huge pick-up be himself….but is also DuPont’s D partner.
I don’t see any other college team that Tarin follows. Also to note, DuPont’s girlfriend is going to Mankato next year. If we somehow got those two I think I’d shit my pants
Tarin Smith now follows Gophers, would be a huge pick-up be himself….but is also DuPont’s D partner.
This would be huge even if it were just Smith on his own but the obvious DuPont connection would make this gigantic
Tanner Hendricks removed his St. Cloud tag from his instagram and is following the gophers which I don’t think he was before.
This doesn't mean he will come to MN. Maybe looking elsewhere after his coach left?
If he does come to MN.
Axel Lofgren- undrafted Swede 6'4" 201 lb LHD
Tanner Hendricks- 4th Rd Cali 6'4" 205 lb RHD
Tarin Smith- 3rd rd Canuck 6'2" 190 lb LHD
Didn't he also hint at grabbing a CHL player soon? Not wasting any time....
We're quickly getting to the point where all the new guys will leave 1-2 spots at most for the guys that were in the lineup this past year. You'd figure one of the rumored transfers has to end up elsewhere just judging by the number of bodies.
Tanner Hendricks removed his St. Cloud tag from his instagram and is following the gophers which I don’t think he was before.
This doesn't mean he will come to MN. Maybe looking elsewhere after his coach left?
If he does come to MN.
Axel Lofgren- undrafted Swede 6'4" 201 lb LHD
Tanner Hendricks- 4th Rd Cali 6'4" 205 lb RHD
Tarin Smith- 3rd rd Canuck 6'2" 190 lb LHD
Didn't he also hint at grabbing a CHL player soon? Not wasting any time....
Tarin Smith is a CHL player
Sorry. I thought he played for the Silverbacks, not the Silvertips....Tanner Hendricks removed his St. Cloud tag from his instagram and is following the gophers which I don’t think he was before.
This doesn't mean he will come to MN. Maybe looking elsewhere after his coach left?
If he does come to MN.
Axel Lofgren- undrafted Swede 6'4" 201 lb LHD
Tanner Hendricks- 4th Rd Cali 6'4" 205 lb RHD
Tarin Smith- 3rd rd Canuck 6'2" 190 lb LHD
Didn't he also hint at grabbing a CHL player soon? Not wasting any time....
Tarin Smith is a CHL player
I don't think Larson is going full-on burn it down and rebuild. He has said in about every interview that it is a "tweak, not a rebuild" but I believe he is going to get some guys who fit what he is looking for.
That said the D needs to be built because there isn't much there. Whipple is solid enough and I think Rombach can develop with a new voice...he has the size and shown the skill at times. Rud, Begley, and McLaughlin are the ones I see as portal bound and possibly Gruba with Lofgren, Phillips, and Harper coming for "sure" and Hendricks and Smith as possibilities.
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Defensive core will be shaken up big time. I would guess that Whipple is the only returning defenseman that is guaranteed top 6 minutes.
If they are reshaping the defense as much as we think, I'm not sure why Grimes did not fit in that plan. Even as a 5 or 6, he would have been great improvement for what we had. I have no idea who pulled the plug though, Larson or Grimes.
I actually give a @#$* about the Twins
Looking down from my High Horse
Morality Police
Targets in the 2010 birthyear:
1. Joey Cullen. Electric offensively. Unbelievable puck skills. Creativity, IQ, dazzles, Clutch scorer. Strong ties to the program with his brothers and dad. Proven winner via State Titles in Minnesota and a National Title. He defines top end prospect. Gophers MUST land him.
2. RJ Thompson. Pro style game. 200 foot general with elite IQ and skating. Right shot that can play C or W. Defensively responsible while consistently being a top scorer that typically draws the toughest minutes. Was best player on his team as a freshman at EP putting up big numbers in the toughest conference in the State of Hockey. He's from Minnesota. Proven winner via State Titles in Michigan and a National Title.
3. Drew Daley. If Thompson is the general, Daley might be the head of the joint chiefs. Elite IQ and presence. Right Shot D that controls the game in all 3 zones. Likely the #1 prospect in the US. National Title. Played a key role playing up with Shattuck's prep team as a 15. I'd put him at 1, except for the fact he has no Minnesota ties other than living in Faribault for 2 seasons.
4. Maverick McKinnon. Exceptional with the puck on his stick- as good as anybody in the class. Scores in buckets wherever and whenever he plays. Proven top end scorer inside and outside the Minnesota hockey world. Has a super strong base that he uses to create space for himself and his teammates. Minnesota kid all the way. Could easily make a case for him at #2. My rational there is that he hasn't won a State of National Title at the highest level. The others in the top 5 are taller in stature.
5. Henry Meier. Top end offensive ability. Right shot winger. Had success playing up at Shattuck. Blood lines run deep with Neal Broten. Has a lot of skill and speed. Not as consistent as the guys I have above him, but the raw ability is there to be a game changer.
Next 5: Dean Stevens, Mason Schemenauer, Henry Buttweiler, Will LoSauro (best player in the country other than guys with ties to MN), Colin Kennedy (likely gone to OHL, but grandpa is Craig Hartsburg- so mom was born in Minnesota while grandpa captained the North Stars)
I don't think Larson is going full-on burn it down and rebuild. He has said in about every interview that it is a "tweak, not a rebuild" but I believe he is going to get some guys who fit what he is looking for.
I count 7 guys about to hit the portal. With Airey already in there, 8 total guys from the current roster will be gone. So there is definitely some burning going on.
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I count 7 guys about to hit the portal. With Airey already in there, 8 total guys from the current roster will be gone. So there is definitely some burning going on.
Here are my guesses:
Falloon
Rud
McLaughlin
Begley
Harris
Airey is already in
Here is my group from which the last two could be:
Rombach
Gruba
Ludtke
Clark
To me a burn it down scenario would be bringing in 20 out of 26 spots but sending eight down the road with graduating four does tickle the fire a bit.
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Harris?
Falloon?
Pahlsson?
Personally, I'm hoping Townsend and/or Pritchard stay.
Tact is the ability to step on a man's toes without messing up the shine on his shoes - Harry S Truman
Harris?
Falloon?
Pahlsson?Personally, I'm hoping Townsend and/or Pritchard stay.
I deleted my post since for some reason I already had those guys off the team in my head. g-manpuck has the list I should have posted.
Harris?
Falloon?
Pahlsson?Personally, I'm hoping Townsend and/or Pritchard stay.
I deleted my post since for some reason I already had those guys off the team in my head. g-manpuck has the list I should have posted.
That would explain why, when I tried quoting your post, it came up blank.
Tact is the ability to step on a man's toes without messing up the shine on his shoes - Harry S Truman
I don't think Larson is going full-on burn it down and rebuild. He has said in about every interview that it is a "tweak, not a rebuild" but I believe he is going to get some guys who fit what he is looking for.
I count 7 guys about to hit the portal. With Airey already in there, 8 total guys from the current roster will be gone. So there is definitely some burning going on.
I know you probably can't or won't say, but do you think any of them will hit us as big surprises
I count 7 guys about to hit the portal. With Airey already in there, 8 total guys from the current roster will be gone. So there is definitely some burning going on.
Here are my guesses:
Falloon
Rud
McLaughlin
Begley
Harris
Airey is already in
Here is my group from which the last two could be:
Rombach
Gruba
Ludtke
Clark
To me a burn it down scenario would be bringing in 20 out of 26 spots but sending eight down the road with graduating four does tickle the fire a bit.
I think this is about right as well.
one thing that I’ll be interested to see play out is if Cullen has the believe that Gruba and/or Mcglaughlin are not progressing correctly due to the previous environment and takes them on as projects. Both were at the Force I believe so just wondering if that will weigh in…
Clark -yes please portal. Sorry, I’ve just seen enough. Give someone fresh his lineup spot.
Similar feelings about Paulson but still think there may be some hope. Maybe.
Rombach - assuming he stays and if so, this year will tell a lot. His size is obvious but he’s not a D1 level skater which will continue to hinder him unless he can drastically improve that aspect of his development
Moore - can’t wait to see Cullen’s impact to draw out his upside. It’s there….
Time to watch a lot of Matthew Knies driving the net videos….
I count 7 guys about to hit the portal. With Airey already in there, 8 total guys from the current roster will be gone. So there is definitely some burning going on.
Here are my guesses:
Falloon
Rud
McLaughlin
Begley
Harris
Airey is already in
Here is my group from which the last two could be:
Rombach
Gruba
Ludtke
Clark
To me a burn it down scenario would be bringing in 20 out of 26 spots but sending eight down the road with graduating four does tickle the fire a bit.
First, I’m expecting Ludtke to stick around because 1. pedigree / track record pre-Gophers, pre-injury 2. he’s best buds with Pritchard, who had an alright freshman year and made a very intentional choice to come here
Second, I don’t think Clark goes bc his stock is low right now, we could use the center depth, and he’s more dependable all around than Pahlsson. I think Pahlsson and Gruba will be the remaining two departures.
Lastly I really hope Whipple shares his offseason regimen from this past year with the rest of the D corps
I don't think Larson is going full-on burn it down and rebuild. He has said in about every interview that it is a "tweak, not a rebuild" but I believe he is going to get some guys who fit what he is looking for.
I count 7 guys about to hit the portal. With Airey already in there, 8 total guys from the current roster will be gone. So there is definitely some burning going on.
I know you probably can't or won't say, but do you think any of them will hit us as big surprises
Nope. Gruba, Rud, Harris, Begley, Clark, Pahlsson, and Falloon. Phillips and Nevers will probably decommit too