AJS

One of the UMD recruits (Forward), did turn it down, so there's one additional spot. You'd think we'd be hearing something on the team sooner than later.Youth Hockey Hub reported almost a week ago that three of the Minnesota kids accepted, one declined and one hadn't made up their mind.

Some players are better than expected, some are worse, but in general, you can feel pretty good about ranking the recruiting classes as a whole. The Sophomore class on paper was probably the least heralded class I can remember. You had Jost, but outside of that, the numbers weren't good (Hoff's were ok), it was concerning at that time. I think it's safe to say defensively, they've been a pleasant surprise, but offensively, they've been pretty much what they are. I just don't know what people expect out of players (see Bowen, Yon) that can't score at the junior level. Now, when healthy I do like Bowen on the 4th line and Hoff has showed he can be a player, basically, the weight of the class is on Hoff offensively. He needs to produce.

Tychonick's interview from the Pipeline Show. Extremely impressive guy. https://soundcloud.com/pipeline-show/jonny-tychonick-apr6

It's getting pretty hard to temper the excitement that JT & JBD will bring to an already solid D-core. They will both be true freshman, but will have two years of juniors under their belts and have had as impressive of a draft year as they possibly could. Read an article recently that talked about both of them at (blanking on the name) the tournament where they were D-partners. Very complementary to both, said they were outstanding together. The D-core is going to be so good and so deep next year.

Wow, talk about jumping up the draft boards! I know this is only one website, but it's looking more and more like he'll be at worst a third round pick, mostly likely a 2nd with a chance to be in the 1st. The coaching staff must be working on a contingency plan right now, there's no way he plays another year of juniors. So, what happens? My best guess is a Gornall, Chantrand, Wilkie type situation for one player (my guess is Johnson moves to forward full time).

One mans opinion, but it's weird that he'd rank Kunz that high and he wouldn't get an invite (out of camp). I didn't have much luck trying to look up this information, but does anyone know (1) What percentage of offers get turned down (2) How long does it usually take to announce the roster. I realize it's a huge decision, but you would think the players / parents would have some sort of idea going into the camp if they'd accept if offered at the end of it.

Schlossman had an update blog this morning, based on that it looks like: Offer: Kleven Sanderson No Offer: Kunz Like he mentioned, there are always players who decline the offer, so we'll see how it shakes out.

NDTP Evaluation Camp is going on currently, UND has 3 recruits participating (Kleven, Kunz, Sanderson): Here's a couple articles from Neutral Zone: https://www.neutralzone.net/mens/2018/03/25/ntdp-evaluation-camp-day-1-notes/ No. 1’s Played Like It Our #1 rated forward Antonio Stranges and No. 1 rated defenseman Tyler Kleven played like it and were a step ahead of the competition. Stranges opened the scoring with a beautiful deke goal on Drew Comesso on a breakaway and was the most dynamic playmaker in the camp. Klevens brings the size, the skating ability, the heavy shot, the physicality and the athleticism making him a force at both ends of the ice. https://www.neutralzone.net/mens/2018/03/26/ntdp-evaluation-camp-day-2-notes/ This camp features an impressive six players who played this past season in Canada from Quebec to Alberta and while they all showed well on Day #1, the group as a whole took a step forward on Day #2. From Western Canada Jake Sanderson and Anthony Kehrer have been among the best defenders here and up front Quebec Midget AAA standout Edit: NZ posted the Line Charts for the Final Day, there are 4 less forwards and 4 less D than there has been the other days (Kleven and Kunz missing today). It's safe to say, they've seen enough of those 8 players to make their decision on if they should get an invite or not.

Gaudette (Northeastern) signs with Vancouver, leaving after his Junior year. *Northeastern lost their entire top line, which combined for 156 points this past year.

Yep, Minnesota isn't just losing a 30 point guy this year, he would have been an All-American next year if he would have stayed.

When it comes to early signings, the Mittelstadt / Jost one and done is the most painful situation for their respective fan bases. What I mean by that is they are elite hockey players obviously, but not at the same level as lets say Eichel. Mittelstadt / Jost finished with modest point totals and were very good players, but you know that they would have completely dominated had they come back for another year.

Duluth last year.

All eyes need to be on the forwards coming into the year, UND will have a very good D-core and two solid goaltenders. Top 4: Gardner (SR), Jones (SR), Mismash (So), Kawaguchi (So): The Jones line was very good the stretch and will reunite, Mismash and Kawaguchi just being Freshman, could see big jumps in production. It was a good line this year, should take that next step. Gardner as a Senior is just a solid Center, hopefully will add to his offensive game, but is so valuable. Next group: The improvement of players in this group or the instant impact of freshman will make or break this team offensively. The way I look at it you're going to need one freshman (either Weatherby or Hain) and one returning player (either JJ or Adams) to be ready to play in the top 6. Two of these four will play with Gardner, the other two should play on the 3rd line with Hoff as Center. What I like about this team: Best two classes will be Seniors and Sophomores, good leadership group with the Seniors and the Sophomores (most talented class) will be fully adjusted to the college game and have the chance to really improve on their numbers.

No chance any suspensions for a regular season game, I'd be surprised if there were any for the exhibition game. I mean we're talking MIP here. I think everyone can give their line projections without fear of players missing any time because of it.

Good luck to Shane, he signed and won't be on the team next year, not sure why it's necessary to continue with the "rumors". Not that they aren't valid, but what's the point now?

Let's concentrate on this team defensively next year. They lose Wolanin, who was their best player, but return everyone else. When looking at how a team will do year to year, what has me optimistic that they will hold serve or be better is they only lost one. Wolanin - Poolman Shaw - Bast Peski - Kierstad Rieger - Johnson (?) You have 5 players from the starting lineup (plus 2 others who've played) returning, two of the starters being freshman this past year. As a group, they should improve enough to pick up the slack for Wolanin. You bring in Tychonick who by pretty much every metric is their best defensive recruit they've had since Schmaltz. 1st team all BCHL, PPG during regular season, averaging 1.63 PPG in the playoffs, sure fire 2nd round pick in the upcoming draft. Tychonick - Poolman (Not as dominant as the 1st D-pair last year) Shaw - Bast (Better) Peski - Kierstad (Better) My money as a group, they will be better. Goaltending: WIth a solid defense, I think SV% is much more important that GAA, both Thome and Johnson were at .910, which is solid, but not great. Scheel was 2nd team all BCHL, good number (.927) in the regular season, slipped a little in the playoffs. Like this year, they'll have two solid goalies, I'm sure we'll see them trade off at the beginning of the year. Overall, you lose Johnson and Wolanin and pick up Scheel / Tychonick. The Scheel / Tychonick combination has to be one of the better G / D incoming combinations in the country.

First, that's absolutely not true. My frustration is lately (see past 3 years), is the wide discrepancy between players leaving early between UND and its peers. Frustration is probably the wrong word, it's more jealousy, other teams for whatever reason haven't had to experience it to even close to the same level as UND on as consistent of a basis. I'm not saying UND should change their recruiting at all, it'd just be nice to have one year (see Duluth 2 years ago, SCSU, Denver, Minnesota last year), where everything breaks your way in the early departure front.

Sheehy was an All-American after his Sophomore year, but his production fell off last year. It doesn't feel like they'll lose anyone else, besides Lindgren. For the Top programs, you'll see some get hit harder than others each year, it's all a cycle, this current one though is getting pretty frustrating. I know it's not the case, but it seems like UND (& BC / BU) are the only teams consistently getting hit year after year with early departures.

Reading how many early departures UND has had over the past 3 years and how that compares to other teams was pretty shocking. You can't put enough emphasis on keeping that number down. I'll be closely watching SCSU and UMD, only because I believe it's a lock that Denver loses Borgstrom, Gambrell and Terry. Would be nice for teams outside of the NCHC to really get hit this year. Minnesota is one I'll watch closely too, they only lost 1 last season in which they were a #1 seed.

I truly believe these issues played a direct role in the complete difference in 1st and 2nd half performance for this team. We've all read the rumors, trying to be as general as possibly, but this off-season will work positively in cleaning up that issue. Included in this, I trust the staff in making decisions that will positively affect this team next year. If that means other players (pure speculation) have to leave, if it's attitude or school, then so be it. It's crucial that the team that's here next year is all on the same page, with the same goals and the same attitude.

Speaking generally, the obvious positive to an off-season is if players aren't the right fit or there are issues like happened last year, this is the time they can be truly fixed. The locker room chemistry should be much better next year. I love the quotes from both Gardner and Jones, those two will be part of a great leadership group.

Is Adams leaving actually happening or is that pure speculation?

Given the news coming out yesterday, we know what's going to happen with Jones, Poolman and Wolanin. Waiting on Garnder / Gersich how is everyone feeling now? I always thought Gersich / Wolanin would be the only two that leave early, but I'm slightly more optimistic about Gersich. I still wouldn't bet on it, but I'm happy that we really haven't heard much at all.

Hard to argue with that fact. I was surprised when looking at the stats that Gersich finished with 29 points, which was only 8 less than last year. Really hope we don't have to try to replace his 29 points.

Assuming that the potential early signees are now Wolanin, Gardner & Gersich, it's critical that 1 of the 3 return. To over simplify it, if one returns, I'd put them in the pre-season 10-15. If two of the three return, I believe they should be a pre-season top 10.