tnt

Don’t think anyone has played themselves into a regular spot in the lineup. The great thing about depth is that from week to week it is performance and effort based.

Pilgrim was named a Player of the week in the USHL.

Yes, but it also shows that if you are an elite player, then playing in college is going to be better for your development if you are looking to make a step to the next level. So, it probably is a cautionary tale in that playing against mature players is a whole lot different than putting up circus numbers in the CHL, and that for most looking to make the jump, there might be a learning curve just like most freshmen entering college. The reason that some players are pushed by NHL teams is because they are truly elite and ready for that next step of development. Other than that, many should just stay in the CHL to develop until they are ready for the jump as you rightly pointed out, just like staying another year in the USHL would have been better for Cole Spicer.

Yeah, sometimes you are exchanging a year, maybe two with a bit of a learning curve, especially on the defensive side of things, for possibly Junior and senior experience. We have seen the difference those years can make with guys like Wiebe and Livanavage. I think Strathmann’s upside coming in was his offensive ability, and he hasn’t really been able to crack the power play units. Does he leave for a chance to show his draft team his abilities? It’s impossible to know the mindset of the guys now, and hopefully they are all in with the program, but when your future is on the line, you ultimately do what’s in your best interest.

Guess from your mouth to God’s ears doesn’t apply, so from your typing fingers to God’s consciousness! Seriously, our league needs to finish out the non conference games strong to help that scenario come true.

This is why college hockey is going to be so competitive going forward, as in the past you would have maybe a few teams with an elite high drafted player on the back end. Now, should many choose to take the route many NHL teams will no doubt favor, there could be 6-10 teams with a high end defenseman, providing you have guys like Verhoeff and Jackson Smith stay a second season. That many teams with a high end power play quarterback certainly evens the playing field. I think it also means that teams that can manage their rosters to have a good mix of high end talent and upperclassmen that have experienced everything in college hockey, are going to be the ones that can be consistent from year to year. Thank goodness for Bryn Chyzyk. I wonder if the NCAA may increase the tourney field to get more of these big names in the spotlight.

Why couldn’t he play in every situation with Verhoeff here?

It will be interesting to see how many guys that see limited action handle it. Can the coaches get some guys like a Coltyn Sanderson to stick around in today’s environment? A lot of players available now with the CHL, so you better have your spot lined up, if you plan bolting, and we saw how that works with guys like Perron and McLaughlin, although their leaving wasn’t due to playing time. I think coaches know they need to keep around a core group that stays longer, which may be why they split guys like Jubenvill and Laurila until injuries or performance make those decisions themselves. You don’t end up with guys like Matt Frattin or Brad Malone unless you give them a few years in the program.

If Cam York and Owen Power can coexist, then Owen Power and Luke Hughes, I think it could work out. Nick Blankenburg was on those teams as well. Are both right handed? Now if you are worried about ego on either end, that is something a team doesn’t need, but I would think the coaches and Bryn have a good instincts on character.

Carson Pilgrim starting to find the points a bit more consistently lately. Will be interesting to see who will come in next year with not many forwards leaving, but we know that can change in a heartbeat.

That is getting to be a big problem every game.

Yeah, we’re six games in, and people already have notions on how good or bad we’ll be from one night to the next. Obviously, Miami is going to win the National Championship because they are undefeated! Would rather build to something than start out as a house on fire, then watch other teams grow as a team and surpass us. Having said that, a win tonight was important, because you don’t want to have no room for error early on.

Looks like Omaha will help the league tonight. Wonder what the overall conference records look like now, and head to head between conferences.

Would have helped if St. Thomas didn’t have a meltdown against Providence.

Were you ever around in the old WCHA days? Besides, most of the seats are already paid for, so all they have to do is fill them.