AJS

Albrecht is returning. It's happening, so I'll refrain from being too negative. I just don't get it. Now, if you look up two posts, I still believe that. Hopefully he's used more as a depth guy and not a 4th line fixture. I'll be really disappointed if someone like Emerson is in and out of the lineup, because Albrecht is a lock. Edit: I really hate this 5th year stuff. I always said, I'll never be able to comprehend Berry bringing back these guys (see Hain / Senden), where someone else could easily step into that roll. It's just crazy to me. Hurts others development. Feels like you're also potentially taking an experience from someone else. Albrecht is how old? So ridiculous.

The lack of pressure they got on the QB last year was stunning.

I'm not pushing the panic button yet. All important questions. I'm break them down by position. Forward: It'll be a talented group next year. That won't change regardless of the Albrecht news or Caulfield's replacement. Now, I'll say this, Caulfield signing and if that's parlayed into Albrecht staying, that is a relatively major blow to the talent level. Again, it'll still be a talented group, but if we were to grade the group on paper, it can go anywhere from a A to a B. Goalie: I hope Hedquist is coming in, he's put in his time in Juniors, good stats. I think we can assume he's in. Defense: This is where I'm getting close to pushing the panic button. We're confident with 5 guys (one of which is assumed "8th guy"). Pyke was a monster add no doubt. I do not like that Strathmann might go back to Juniors. Sounds like everyone is on the same page, so I don't get a decommitment feel, but still. Numbers wise this could work out great, BUT, now they need 3 more from the Portal. Good news, there's definitely 3 high enders. Bad news, what are the chances they get them? Just a lot of uncertainty. Things can absolutely turn out incredible. There's also a chance that this goes sideways.

Slight correction. The OLB's with experience are Navartil and Mullin. ILB's with experience are Pedigo and Kelley. Those are the current "starters" on the Spring depth chart. I also have high hopes for McNeal, who's listed behind Kelley. Baretz (6'3" 230LB) R-FR is listed behind Pedigo. An optimist would say that the ILB position looks to be solid, I like both Pedigo and Kelley, if McNeal can take a huge step, then you just need either Baretz or Parks to step up as the #4. I'm not too worried about the ILB. The OLB is more of a concern.

I'll pivot a little on 13. IF your 13th (11), 14th (13) and 15th (5) Forwards are those three, then I have no issues at all with him coming back. I just do not want to see what happened this year happen again and that's a possibility or I would even say likely if he's on the team.

I'm having a difficult time with this Albrecht situation. We don't know a lot, but from what Schlossman has reported that they are waiting on his decision, that clearly indicates that the ball is in his court, correct? Why push Portz out to keep Albrecht? I'm hoping to jinx this a little bit, since I think they best thing is for both be gone, but I wouldn't think this would be a popular thing in the locker room. Seems so backwards.

Based on the timing of Portz entering, I'm guessing the decision was mutual.

I believe he would become a free agent in August. If a team trades for his rights, they must think they can sign him.

Agreed. Definite blow to the forward group, but also interested in the domino effect. Really hope this will not change what 13's decision will ultimately be.

Gets you excited. Stock risers: Six young UND football players thriving at spring ball - Grand Forks Herald | Grand Forks, East Grand Forks news, weather & sports With this list, if they hit this year, would they change your opinion on that positional group? For example, I would say no on Borud, Kupfer, Bluiett. The more the merrier, but I already like those positional groups. Yes to Feeney, McNeal, Teiken, Sutton, Koshiol.

Unless you know differently, it's one of those situations that just make sense. Also, I do put stock in names that Scholossman floats out there. Let's call them educated guesses.

Here's where I'm at. There are currently two definite depth guys (5, 11) and one more potential (13). My hope would be Berg / another as talented as you can get player (over depth) if 13 goes. My reasoning is you have to handcuff Berry with as few depth guys as possible. I completely agree with your thought process if I trusted Berry to play talent and have the depth guys be the 13, 14, 15 Forwards. I don't trust that though.

Reading one of Schlossman's articles, he put it that they'll need 1 for sure, possibly 2 depending on Albrecht.

The reality is the portal situation actually is sort of bleak. Of course, there is high end talent, but how many? Four goalies that you would feel good about to varying degrees if you needed a starter. Five D-man that would fit the criteria of being considered "1st pair" on a playoff team. UND got one of the goalies and one of those defensemen yesterday. That's huge! Not playing with house money yet. My question is for where they are at, do they need another one of their portal D to be one of those 5 "1st pair" D-man? Tall task, but cannot overstate it enough how big yesterday was for next year's team.

From a leadership standpoint, you're right, 27 does make sense. There are things that happened this past year, that I hope never happen again. Simply, 27 cannot get the 19 treatment from last year. Similar skill sets. 27 is a 4th line Center on a good team. Hopefully his minutes would follow suit to that.

Leadership will be key next year. Gaber / Caulfied, will a sophomore wear a letter? Regardless, things are pessimistic right now from the fan base. Opposing fanbases are having a fun time. Have a feeling this is going to light a fire in this program. "Count us out, we'll show you" type of mentality.

Two things. I truly hope this is a crazy thought and not something floated out that is an actual rumor. As we sit on 03/30, obviously so many unknowns. I would say the word rebuild is pretty premature. This is going to be a very fun, very talented offense. He's a key part to it. Up until this point every portal exit has made sense to varying degrees (Moore being the least). 9 would not make sense at all. Better day today. Start with 13 signing anywhere and then let's get a big portal addition.

Now that they need three, Noah Ellis immediately becomes a crucial piece. RH shot. VGK draft pick. Sophomore. Someone who you would feel great bringing in as more of a 3rd pair guy (maybe 2nd) next year. High upside.

@scpa0305 I agree with almost everything you're saying. The feel that some high-end recruits have gotten honestly is warranted and is concerning. There's no spin there. Why the flip of the switch for me? I explained the Portz move was significant. 13 leaving would also be big and what I would call a true offensive reset. As far as a recruiting standpoint. Last year's Freshman class was very good. I really like the incoming Freshman class as well. We'll see how this goes, but there appears to be a real path where next year the roster is constructed in a way where talent plays. Where you'll see the Freshman and Sophomore forwards in the lineup every night. Minimum of 3 of the 5 Freshman defenseman will be in the lineup every night. If the roster is constructed correctly (which I do think it's headed that way) and talent plays, we will not see what is happening this year happen next year. Here's to watching the reset and this program going back to recruiting talent, developing talent, playing talent.

@Kevin G and me over here buying all the stock in next year's team.

I would doubt system changes, I would lean more towards with 5 Freshman next year, having an offensively dynamic, but defensive liability at times would be not ideal. Bringing in 3 two-way guys would seem to mesh better with inexperience. That makes sense to me.

The Moore optics aren't good, but if you could buy stock in next year's team, I'm going all in. Why? The Portz domino was an important one to the talent of next year's Forward group. Schlossman's article on Moore was the first time I've seen it written that Albrecht might not return. In my ideal situation, 13 goes as well and you pick up two forwards from the portal. 15F with 5 and 11 being the only "depth" guys. I don't like that Moore left, but there's nothing that can be done now. Is there an argument to made that with 5 Freshman coming in, you need the three remaining to be solid two-way guys? I could see that. Interested to see what they do in the portal. If they nail these (potentially) 6 portal guys, watch out.

It's all situational / player specific. I want UND to recruit talent, develop talent, play talent. To be blunt, Portz was one of the four forwards that I don't think is very good. To go one step further, between 5, 11, 13, 20, I think two would be ideal.

Yikes. Don't like that one at all.

Based on the last few goalies, this might sound backwards, but what I find exciting about Persson is I hope we know what his floor is. .925 (FR) is obviously outstanding, but .894 / .891 on terrible Miami teams is hopefully his floor.