The Sicatoka

Dude, I gave you how to find the answer in the post.

What I've seen is a flip-flop of the size on teams: By-gone days (Blais era and before) you'd have monsters on the blue line and small, quick forwards. Today it seems everyone has small, quick, puck-moving defensemen and monster forwards.

There's an Ottawa press release that I've found courtesy a tweet by Schlossman: Wolanin signed.

Reports on Twitter (imagine hearing those words a decade ago) say Wolanin is signed. The game entries are closed. stoney, it's you and me hombre, for the title. Better yet? We're both guaranteed no worse than second place!

I hate it when my Twitter is slow. <-- Why'd that sound a bit naughty?

Um, linky please. All we've heard so far is Schloss say it's coming.

ESPN has #1 and #2 reversed in this. No homerism; reality. http://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/22846082/ranking-ultimate-lineups-ncaa-men-hockey-history Ed > CuJo Any slight advantage (and even that's arguable as a pair) the UW D may have with Chelios is overcome by the massive UND advantage at forward.

Offensive lines make and break seasons.

I'm going to follow up jdub's post with my thoughts on a current player. 2 years, 60 games, a 4-6-10 scoring line, DNP last five games and seven of last nine. <-- Name the player. In the "Name 'em Game" thread I'm on record predicting no return for this one. I have no insights other than those number and program history. That said, and by the same theory and current course and trajectory, Mr. Adams needs to step up over the next 12 months. And before some of you jump me for posting such things, look back at the data and the history. As you see, jdub has already done a lot of it for you.

Nope, read the criteria: Entries are due " ... before the first early departure ... " We all just got a little help on who not to pick as a departure.

I never thought I'd say this but here it is: Rhett Gardner is more important to return than Shane Gersich. Shane just seemed disengaged on the ice this year. It was probably the difference between having teams focus on Schmaltz and Boeser (not him) and now being the focus and at times shut down. He disappeared for long stretches. And the numbers don't lie: Look at the second half record with and without Gardner in the lineup.

One more note: Schlossman thinks the first early departure could happen this week. Read the rules. Once that happens, entries are no longer valid.

My take: Early departures/no longer on roster: Wolanin, Yon* Incoming: Scheel, Huber, Weatherby, Senden, Randklev, Hain, Tychonick, *I'm going with my low minutes, low production, end of sophomore year theory and taking a flyer on that one; and, I'm probably not going to win many friends with it.

No, Pooly, if you want to be a captain, there's no 'hopefully' in that last line.

Well good for you.

Your choice: or

It might be that UND and Johnson Controls and Mac McLennan have been talking. Mac's organization has excess capacity that may be useful in this venture. You don't need tall stacks when your local fired systems are the backups to electric powered primaries.

Correct. Look at a map and the full pipeline route. It had already crossed the Missouri River once, and in a way that would have affected many, many more people.

OK, so it's the off-season. Here's a blast from the past to pass the time. The game: Name the new players on, *and* name any early departures from, the official hockey roster for 2018-19. Scoring: For every new player you name correctly you gain a point. For every new player you claim will come in but that isn't on the roster you lose a point. For every new player that comes in that you don't predict you lose a point. For every early departure you predict correctly you get a point. For every early departure you claim but they stay you lose a point. For every early departure you don't predict but that happens you lose a point. Entries: Due before the first early departure happens or official release of the roster this fall (whichever happens first). Final scoring when fall camp roster is released.

I'd say Oxbow or Mafia can do that.

Allow me to toss in this season's +/- for each (collegehockeystats.net doesn't list career +/-) : Simonson: 35 games, +10Olson: 28 games, evenSmith: 37 games, +7Bowen: 30 games, -8 Yon: 26 games, -5 For reference/comparison: Best plus by D: Poolman +14 (40 games) Best plus by F: Simonson (35 games) Worst by D: Peski -3 (34 games) Worst by F: Bowen and Adams -8 (30 games, 26 games) Top 5 +/- for season: 14 - Poolman 12 - Wolanin 11 - Thome 10 - Simonson 9 - Jones/Janatuinen (tied) Worst 5 +/- for season: -8 - Bowen, Adams -5 - Yon -4 - Hoff -3 - Peski -2 - Kawaguchi, Kierstad

Stats from here: http://www.uscho.com/stats/overall/division-i-men/ Of the top 20 offenses in the country 8 did not make the tourney. Of the top 20 defenses in the country 8 did not make the tourney.

15 forwards. How many are legitimate "top six" guys? We have this strange affection for bottom six grinder guys. Yes, you need them, but not 12 of the 15 forwards. Simonson: 139 games, 9 goals Olson: 121 games, 11 goals Smith: 66 games, 8 goals Bowen: 66 games, 8 goals Yon: 60 games, 4 goals This team needs offense, both mindset and production.

We as fans (and coaches?) fall in love with the "hard-working third and fourth line" guys. Well, right about now it feels like we have 12 or 15 forwards that are bottom six guys. Traditionally, post-sophomore year is when guys are 'evaluated' and may move on.

Direct observation. Show a little passion.