AJS

Wanted to get some thoughts down before Fall camp starts. As someone who is usually optimistic before the year, my expectations are as tempered as they've ever been while Bubba has been head coach. Combination of the inconsistency of last year, along with losing a large number to graduation. If there's a season it will make it more enjoyable to watch for me, as I see this year as a springboard to 2021. I'm not punting on this year at all, but this will be a pretty young team. Extremely young, but extremely talented in the skill positions on Offense, which is really exciting. That might not be conducive for this year racking up the wins, but can really set this team up going forward. There's some really talented Seniors, but I also like how the class is relatively small 15 and really evenly spread out (7 Offense / 7 Defense / 1 ST). Hope they surprise, because if they can compete and exceed expectations (I'll put at 6th in the MVFC), then they will set themselves up for a really fun 2021.

https://fightinghawks.com/documents/2020/2/26/2020_Spring_Prospectus.pdf

As someone who really enjoys following recruiting PuckPreps looks like they are getting into the content I really like. Top X lists, it's something college hockey has been missing for the most part. A lot of that is due to the incredibly early recruiting, so these new rules are great on every front. Do we think we will see a verbal commit on 08/01, or I'm with Covid things might not roll like they will be in years to come. I imagine almost all the Top players verbally committing within the first few days of August in the upcoming years.

The defensive line lost one (very good) player off the team from last year. They return everybody else. They were the weak link / super young last year, but with that much returning, I wouldn't put them in the "need to worry" category.

These new rules are going to make following recruiting a lot more fun.

August 1st is right around the corner, the first date that the '04 class can verbally commit. This year will be a little unique as you did have quite a few commit before the new rules took affect (UND had four), plus with Covid I'm sure visits have been delayed. Still, it'll be interesting to see how many verbal within the first few days.

First off, neither actually needs each other. If given the opportunity and the $ was right, UND would jump at the opportunity.

Spicer wouldn't be eligible for a couple different reasons (1) Too young - Hlinka would be 03' birth year (2) NTDP players aren't eligible.

Of course, it'll take more than 2 Games to get acclimated to college football, but from a Win / Loss perspective, the schedule is pretty ideal for the QB to get his feet wet. From a % chance, those are the two most "sure" games on the schedule. Start with the easiest and go right into the hardest. Then a Bye week to really process the first two weeks.

In most situations, I would agree. This situation has a few wrinkles though. 1) Position - One of the few positions where players aren't routinely substituted. 2) Class: Both being Freshman (one RS). My comment was based on a pretty specific scenario playing out. I'm biased as I do like Schuster and who knows he could be it, but I like many are waiting for UND to finally "hit" on a QB. Not average or solid, but a Top Tier guy in the league.

Not just this, but unless one is clearly the front-runner, I hope the top two have equal reps the first couple weeks. Game reps. Schuster having a year of experience in the program and limited game action should have the upper hand going into Fall camp. The extra layer this competition brings is a situation where Schuster has a slight lead out of camp, but they feel Vaughn has a much higher ceiling. Both will have a learning curve this year, so do you go with the higher ceiling, even if that means a slightly bigger learning curve?

It definitely was his and he's since deleted his Instagram. Going through the screenshots I only saw two messages from Jackson. Neither were anything bad. Embarrassment of being involved is more than enough punishment for me. Hope UND just issues a statement that they will handle it internally or to appease the everyone needs to be punished regardless of their actual involvement crowd, give him a game.

Kunz will only be a Senior in HS this upcoming year, so unless he accelerated his schooling, he wouldn't be an option. I put Halliday in the same boat as Bowen.

I'd like someone to clarify, but I don't think he'd be too old for Juniors. I'm guessing they go off Birth Year for the cut off. 1999's would be too old, 2000's would be on their last year. If they do go forward, I would think Jamernik or Portz would be at the top of the list. I do realize Bowen has signed his NLI, but that injury he had completely derailed his season. Not only that, but for his development, next years Forward group is going to be a tough one to crack.

With Mitchell Miller announcing today that he'll be part of next years Freshman class, we are getting closer to finalizing the Freshman class. We know for sure. Budy Rizzo Gaber Ness Sanderson Kleven Miller One Forward spot remaining. I look at the pool of recruits that can fill that last spot and it's clear that Moore (Defenseman) is at the top of the list. I still like the idea that someone had of moving Rieger to Forward (claiming the last Forward spot) and bringing in Moore as well.

That's a great idea. I do remember seeing the suggestion of moving Rieger to Forward, but I never took the next logical step of then only bringing in four forwards. Sign me up for this.

Is there any doubt that Mitchell Miller will be the 3rd Freshman Defenseman brought in this year? I've done the comparisons before. Experience: Miller: 2 Years Junior Experience International Experience Hlinka WJAC (X2) Moore: 1 Year Junior Experience Performance: Miller: USHL 1st Team Draft: Miller: 3rd / 4th Round (Most Likely) Moore: 5th Round I think Moore is a great player, but Miller's resume is better in every way. I don't see any way if it's one or the other, that Miller isn't the guy. Now, I do hope they get creative, because I don't want to lose either.

Cue the you need to be realistic responses. I am a little conflicted as is everybody. You need to plan for the worst clearly, but I can't help but finding what you put in bold incredibly frustrating. You say reward, I've thought of it as this backwards badge of honor that they wear. As @scpa0305 mentioned, the UConn AD has it for Athletic Directors. You know there's a handful that are chomping at the bit to "cancel" Winter sports as well.

That's where I'm at. Let's use the new Ralph as a starting point. Let's also pretend that each player has a video game type rating. Next years forwards wouldn't have the high end (Take the highest 6 ratings), from honestly a fair number of teams that UND has had since that point. Wouldn't be the lowest, but not the highest either. I'll say slightly above average. What I do think is if you look at the #10 guy and down (4th line / extra skaters), that next years team will be the best we've seen since the new Ralph opened. Given next year the high end depth will be like something we haven't seen in a long time, there shouldn't be an emphasis on Top 6 / Bottom 6. Weatherby will not be surrounded by normal 4th line guys. There's no need to try to fit players into certain lines. Play them at their position of strength and roll four lines.

Relieved.

Kawaguchi had pretty spectacular numbers, obviously, Adams were solid, Mismash ok. I like them as a line, but imo, they didn't produce to the level where you at least don't give it some thought.

Co-sign that lineup. I love it. Just think, you still have Budy that you're able to insert into that lineup.

Nobody. He's so unique. The role he plays he does better than just about anybody I've seen in college hockey. I'm excited to see somebody like Blaisdell or Ness with Senden / Hain. I do think if you go thru the line up, that 3rd line will be the only one that takes a step back. Doesn't mean they still won't be solid, but Smith is a big loss.

That's sort of the issue. I also think he's unbelievably valuable as a Center, so where do you move him? He is talented enough to be in the Top 6, but who are you moving out of the Top 2 Center roles?