AJS

Iowa State offer

But, what does every other collegiate program do? The only way to not pay would be (1) Coach leaves for another job (2) Retires. How often do coaching changes result because of one of those two? Let’s stop acting like a poverty program.

Is it just me, or do others also feel it's a possibility that key players start to look to the portal? Two examples. McLaughlin - @Oxbow6 has been beating this drum. Why I could see it is personal development. It's clear playing wing does not match up with his skill set. Everyone seems to notice this, except for the coaches. There were concerns about this strength and faceoff win % at the end of last year. How about the coaches practice / coach / develop those parts of this game? They had all off-season to work on it. Boisvert - Ultimate competitor. Does he feel this is an unserious program? Lack of accountability that the coaches hold to some players. If Berry is extended, will key players leave? Who knows. I could be completely off. I would have never thought in previous seasons that was a possibility. Wouldn't say the there's a zero percent chance after what we've seen this year. For every program, in every sport, there seems to be a turning point. Where you feel the direction of the program is cemented. We're close, Berry has two months to change it.

A lot of what's happening this year from a coaching / roster management perspective is the same old. A handful of guys that seem to be immune of repercussions for their play. That's not new. I never before though questioned the effort of those guys. Let's use Schmaltz as an example last year, played a Top 6 role for half the year, Top 9 basically until playoffs. Power play time. Couldn't score. He always gave effort though. I could be frustrated for some guy's roles given their production, but they tried. This year it feels different. The consistent effort doesn't seem to be there for some guys who are wearing letters. It's not just Kunz, but there was a real opportunity I felt for Berry to sit him on Saturday. Not only was that penalty completely lazy and cost them on Friday, but he's also looked disinterested for weeks. Since there's zero foresight from the athletic department, if this team rallies this year or wins the conference championship, Berry will get extended. I still think it's a real possibility that if they miss the tournament, he's gone. Using the word feel again. It does feel like unless something drastic happens, that this program is in a bad spot. I never before thought that somebody would transfer from this program that wasn't playing time related. Miss the NCAAs, plus Berry stays. Could we see some key players enter? I think it's possible. Berry needs to figure things out, quickly.

Btw if there is no lineup change or it’s Littler out and Croal in, the players that are actually giving effort deserve so much better than this coaching staff.

There’s a first time for everything. Was the timing of the penalty so bad, combined with his play last night where Kunz sits tonight? Kunz out, Croal in. Imo, that would actually light a spark.

Does have the feeling that this is the first true must win of the season*. *From having a realistic chance at making a run at an at large bid standpoint.

Call it recency bias, but I’m putting a lot of stock in what happened with Bubba and the similarities between the two programs. IMO Berry’s seat is hot. My prediction is this teams makes the NCAA tournament, he gets an extension. They miss the NCAA tournament, he’s out. I know what scenario is best for the program.

@yzerman19 is right on. Collegiate athletics are completely different in 2025 than they were even 5 years ago. Coaching & recruiting included. Adapt or die. I asked, already knowing the answer about NIL and if the hockey coaching staff is actively campaigning like the new football staff if. They aren’t. This will hurt some feelings, but UND is not a current tier 1 / elite program. They just aren’t. Until they get a new staff, they won’t have a chance to get back either.

Agreed and then roll three lines. Could you imagine how awful a Kunz / Schmaltz / Jammer line would be?

Thank you Kunz! This garbage Senior class cannot leave fast enough.

So, there's going to be at a minimum 5F spots that are needed to be filled next year. Two locks currently committed (Klee & Zellers). Are Schultz or O'Neill realistic options for next year? Both with strong mid-season rankings for the draft. Would be true freshman. Neither lighting it up to the point where you'd think they wouldn't need one more year of juniors. Even realizing you have the CHL / Portal as options, when does this become an issue? The Portal was not as strong last year as it has been in the past. We're out of Covid seasons as well.

Has Berry said anything about the 1883 collective? Schmidt has been very vocal and active since he started. New drive that is football related.

Miller's article today, it says that UND is targeting April 25 for a spring game. The spring portal begins April 16 and lasts until....April 25th. Seems pretty strategic and I don't hate it. Seems to be pretty ideal / gives you better odds on keeping the guys at the top of the depth chart. At the very least knowing during Spring ball that they are gone. Like we saw last year with the two linemen. Tough having them get so many valuable practice snaps just to leave.

The current era of college football there are essentially two off-seasons. We are through the first session of the off-season. Winter portal. This was by far the best they've done in both the retention of key players (losing 0) as well as the best they've done with portal additions. Hit reset and see if Schmidt and Co can pitch a perfect game this off-season after spring ball and the spring portal. I really do believe they can turn this program around quick if they nail this. Looking ahead to the spring (1) No key losses, nobody on the 2-Deep (2) Attrition at LB and other depth, think between 8-10 guys out. Hoping they don't need more than 4-6 guys post Spring portal to bring in. Tossing out random numbers, but my point being, if after spring ball there's a complete turnover ex: 15 out 12 in, probably looking more like a bigger rebuild.

Successful weekend, Duluth. Couple things, Duluth was at home this past weekend and are in considerably worse position today both in PWR & standings than UND is.

No chance. He should sit though. We need Berry gone.

Sit Jammer next Friday.

Should be benched next game. Guess we could thank him. Loss by loss, Berry is almost gone! Losing Berry and this horrific Senior class in one offseason? Quick turnaround.

Yes - his current contract is through the 2025-2026 season. Where’s his extension? It’s not coming if he misses the NCAAs this year. He’s out. There’s a very clear feeling surrounding the hockey program as there was the football program. There’s always a tipping point. Bubba’s was losing five in a row. Berry’s would be missing the NCAAs this year. It’s not one season, like you said, it’s his entire body of work.

I think he is. NCAAs or bust for Berry. Doesn’t matter if he loses again first round, if this team makes the tourney he’s safe. I was confident that was the case with Bubba this past year, I’m confident as well with Berry.

Call it a feeling. Felt this with Bubba and the football program as well this year. The social media spin (for Berry, regular season titles) won’t work anymore. Pattern becomes too obvious to ignore. It’s been too long and it’s beyond obvious it’s not working. Playoffs or we’ll see a new coaching staff next year. Long or short term gratification. We all know what’s best for the program long term. Loss by loss.

This program will never be what it could be or what it once was with this coaching staff. It’s as obvious as it was with the Football program. Needs to be change.

Only two more months with this Senior class!