AJS

Let's play the "what needs to happen" to the following teams, starting now. This is from a UND perspective to bring them down a bit. Denver: 1 more early signing Boston College: 2 more early signings Boston University: Celibrini to sign after he's drafted Michigan: 1 more early signing Michigan State: 2 early signings Ideally, we see more, but at a minimum, we need that to bring UND even starting next year. Important note. The final central scouting rankings were released and you had three NCAA players in the Top 4 for NA.

Do Johnny Brodzinski‘s point total from Juniors vs College next.

To be fair, I have been adamant that they bring in a FR that is a true depth add (i.e. another Montgomery). Then Klee as 12 / 13 F would be ideal. What I don't want to see is Berry add a "depth forward" out of the portal. We all know that player will be a fixture in the line-up and will push a FR out. That is a guarantee. Berry cannot help himself. Klee / Littler / Croal at 12 / 13 / 14 > Mediocre 5th year at 12 / Croal 13 / Klee 14

Unfortunately, I agree. Listening to Schlossman it was a breath of fresh air talking F lines. Pieces will be there next year. Here’s to Berry putting the puzzle together.

If you listen to the last UND pod, here were Schlossman’s F lines. I think he nailed it. Kunz - Berg - Perron McLaughlin - Wilkie - Swanson James - Boisvert - Strinden Schmaltz - Jamernik - Croal Extra: Klee, Littler, Montgomery I’ll second @brianvf D pairings F notes: What we’d see here is potential for the highest ceiling. Would Berry be willing to move Schmaltz / Jamernik from line 3 to 4? I have my doubts. This lineup would show great growth from Berry. Let’s see a lineup that by March / April would give this team the highest ceiling. The F group reminds me a bit of 2019. This team could be really good.

13 F currently. I’ve settled on wanting Klee next year definitely as F 12/13. Ideally, another FR for F 14/15, but a true “Montgomery” type of depth. If not, bring in Littler. Have Croal / Klee / Littler in F 12,13,14.

Penrose & #1 culture program > Natty

Recruiting imo has not been the issue.

My optimistic look at next year's F group is there are absolutely areas where they can improve over last year. Ultimately, last year's team had really bad depth scoring. Before some get overly excited, I'm not saying these players don't have positive attributes, what I am saying is they have little offensive ability. For arguments sake, let's consider Emerson a "miss". From my point of view, here's the list of the players who have little offensive ability. Schmaltz Emerson Ness Albrecht Montgomery That list ideally, should be 2 or 3 deep (3rd being a FR that needs time to adjust). Schmaltz being on the PP / 3rd line compounded the issue. 1/3 of last year's roster essentially couldn't score. IF, Berry goes down the middle like this, they are in a considerably better spot than last year. 1C - Berg 2C - Wilkie 3C - Jamernik 4C - Schmaltz

13 F currently. Good / Bad news. Good: 1 can / should be a Ness/Albrecht replacement. 14/15F with Montgomery. Bad: Are Littler / Klee ready? If not, is there anyone in the portal worth getting? Lucius definitely, but he's been tied to ASU. The portal is really weak this year! I would rather bring in Littler / Klee early as 13F than some mediocre Portal guy. *Montgomery is currently the only depth F. I don't want to see any of the FR (Croal, Littler, Klee) start out essentially as the 14F. If you hope for them to be contributors eventually, which I think we can all agree those three can be, then they can't start out buried. Not in 2024. We know how that'll play out.

No, Littler is an ‘04. The 03 birth year ages out this year.

They don't seem to have a choice. They do appear to have only 3 Freshman that are truly ready to go next year. Love Klee's upside and I think he'll have a huge year in the USHL, but I would send him back. Same with Littler. His development this year probably wasn't what anyone expected. My ideal F roster, given where we are today. SR. (5) Berg, Kunz, Jamernik, Schmaltz, Wilkie JR. (4) James, McLaughlin, Montgomery, Strinden SO. (1) Perron FR. (3) Boisvert, Croal, Swanson Additions. (1) Depth Freshman Forward (2) Highest Portal SO / JR you can find

Schlossman is so dialed in. I genuinely have no idea why he hasn't signed or what the holdup could be, but that shipped unfortunately has all but sailed.

100% accurate. Unfortunate for us, but it’s been proven with this AD & administration that performance doesn’t matter. All we can do is hope for the best.

Some not familiar w/ UND Athletics? I like the whether you think he should be or not, Berry will never be on the hot seat.

Did they release a post Spring ball depth chart?

Ideally for me, you get two very different types of players. One being a true depth guy, the other being as high-end as you can get. Neither being a SR. Ideally, the depth guy would be a SO, the high-end either a SO or JR. Why I emphasis true depth guy. Someone that will not be taking minutes from a more talented (high upside) FR. That gives you two (14F / 15F) depth forwards. Let the other 13 battle it out.

Croal is a for sure forward.

Both players went to the school they were initially tied to. Disappointing still, but not surprising.

Would love this, but would also take people @ their word. I re-signed up for a membership yesterday.

You consider Michigan’s 2nd goal a bad bounce? Maybe on a technicality, but only happened because Persson made the single worst goaltending decision I saw all year. Whatever the issue is come tournament time, I’ll be (potentially in the minority) that UND winning just one game since 2017 isn’t based on bad luck.

Lock this in. Do not add a 9th for next year.

Looks like a great addition, but not the direction I thought they were going (which was RHD, one year remaining). Next year. 1 JR 5 SO 3 FR

I'm looking not only at next year, but also the following. If things stayed status quo defensively, you have 1 Junior, 4 Sophomores, 3 Freshman next year. I know I'm getting ahead of myself a bit, but who would be ready to leave early after next year? I wouldn't expect anyone. Where would Laurila fit the following year? McInnis? I still feel you need to break up the underclassman log jam. For the portal, get the highest skilled RHD with one year left (or likely to turn pro after next year).

I'm sort of serious when I say, the coaches realizing what Schmaltz is and pulling him from the PP and making him 4C might be the most important off-season move that can happen.