The Sicatoka

NDSU: They know your meat.

Here are two things working in UND's favor: http://www.cmegroup.com/trading/metals/precious/gold.html http://www.cmegroup.com/trading/energy/crude-oil/light-sweet-crude.html

I indict both of you of making mountains out of mole hills. (I was tempted to use the word "impeach", in its "to accuse" form, but figured that'd be gas on the fire.)

Well, Hextall has decided to move on to PHX. And now the hot rumor (for what they're worth) is that Cichy and Bruneteau are leaving. If all that came to pass, the roster would be down to 14 forward. That's too few. So would the team bring in a 17 year old recruit a year earlier than planned (Matteau, Koules are planned for fall 2012), or do they have another pleasant surprise (ala Taylor Dickin) waiting in the wings?

Well, that, or that all the youth programs in Canada are geared to hockey and lacrosse because those are the two national sports of Canada. You really need to dare to venture out into thinking of something other than a "it's all football or basketball" way of thinking. There's a whole world out there and the vast majority care more about ... football (i.e. what you'd call soccer). Neither you nor they are wrong, you just see things differently.

Let's compare Hextall's situation to Gregoire's. (I'm quoting myself from the Hextall thread.) Hex: Gregoire: If I were the advisor to each, I guess I'd have told Hextall to sign now and I'd be telling Gregore to stay (giving himself three years to develop before that first non-entry contract).

Now, let's look at Gregoire. Hextall is almost a full year (10.5 months) older than Gregoire. Gregoire is 22 right now. Per that same link, Gregoire can only sign a two-year deal (22 and 23 year olds can only sign two-year deals). But he could sign a two-year deal a year from now also. Would Gregoire be better off signing now with two-years to try to stick with the NYI organization, or ... Would he be better off playing a senior year, and still being able to sign a two-year entry deal a year from now, and then evaluating all of his possibilities, including (having played four college years) waiting to sign until August 15, 2012 when he becomes a free-agent able to sign a two-year deal with anyone? To me, staying for his senior year at UND puts Gregoire no worse off for a contract duration, but may make him more valuable (potential free-agent). And staying gives him three years (one at UND, two on the entry contract) to become the best player he can when it comes time to sign a first non-entry level contract. (Signing now only gives him two years to develop to that key milestone.)

I'm trying to figure this out, and I think I have. Brett is 23. The report is that he signed a two-year deal. That makes sense given the information in the "Entry-level Contract" thread. So if Brett were to stay at UND another year, he'd be 24 and only be able to sign a one-year deal (see same link). That's one year to make or break with your pro team. By signing now Brett has two years to catch on with the PHX organization. Given all that, Brett made the choice that I think (with all that information) I would have recommended to him.

" ... except for the UND faculty and staff ... " Uh-oh. Now somebody went and said it. However, for the record, I believe the UND staff supports the name (per survey circa 2000). The issue is the UND faculty. That stance is required to keep their "academic elitist club" decoder rings.

Back to the beginning ... I don't know ... but it seems we're closer to finding out. I should've bought stock in Orville Reddenbacher's company. There's lots more popcorn to be consumed before this one is over.

I like the idea of no post-season tournament only if the regular season is a full round-robin schedule (play everyone both home and road).

I count 17. I still say there won't be 17 when the official roster comes out this fall. And if you don't think Carter Rowney will be a line-up regular you need to rethink who'll be playing center. Actually, I don't think Grimaldi (or any freshman) will play center before January. I expect the centers for the IceBreaker will be Knight, Rowney, Nelson, and Lamoureux. Come January Grimaldi will be at center and Lamoureux will be on a wing (where he had some good late-season success this year).

Deal with it.

Carter Rowney takes over the role that Brad Malone took over from Chris VandeVelde: Big, strong, power centerman. Rocco Grimaldi takes over the role that Evan Trupp took over from Ryan Duncan: Smallish, wiley, winger that opponents have trouble finding a solution for. Joe Gleason takes over the role that Chay Genoway took over from Robbie Bina: Smallish, puck-moving, defenseman. Those most of you can see. Here's one you may not: The Matt Frattin physically devestating, intimidating shot, role will be taken up by ... Derek Rodwell.

http://www.ag.nd.gov/NCAA/ncaa.htm

"Oh, people can come up with statistics to prove anything, Kent. 14% of people know that." -- Homer Simpson

I've asked many that very question.

Nope. It should have been brought as a First Amendment case. UND receives Federal funding and as such is subject to the US Constitution. The majority of NCAA members are receiving Federal funding in some sort as well. As such, being made up of members subject to the First Amendment, the NCAA should not be in the business of censorship. The NCAA is a public actor and someone should sue them as such*, especially when they are trying to behave as a fourth branch of government. *Yes, it's been tried before and failed, but since that last challenge the "private" Oklahoma HSAA has been declared a public actor by the Ninth Circuit because the majority of it's executive board were from public schools (subject to the Constitution).

The Kings blow a 4-0 third period lead to lose in OT 6-5 to San Jose. And when you think it can't get whackier, the next night two games go 2OT and in one of them NYR blows a 3-0 lead to lose. I'm thinking the LAK and NYR are probably both done after those collapses.

Didn't NDSU lose on a pink field (after the flurries started) in Cheney. I'd rather be in the pink, than yellow.

Shrink the "North", expand the "Dakota" ... and the NCAA still wouldn't understand what you're saying.

Here's what I don't understand: Why, if the rumors have substance, does PHX want Hextall now? He's never been a top line player in college. He's undersized for the pros (and arguably undersized for college). He has gaps in his game. Is PHX worried about Hextall waiting until August 15, 2012 (when he becomes a free agent if he stays in college)?

There is another player in this upper midwest health care game also. Essentia Health I sure hope the Mayo rumor is true. Being associated with Mayo Clinics gives instant world-wide recognition.