AJS

Big time commit. Felt like this program really needed to get a high-end Minnesota recruit. Edit: Just to get ahead of it, non-legacy recruit.

Completely different players. Warren steps into the Luke Hughes spot.

My thought is there are only a handful of Freshman defenseman that would be top-pair caliber guys on a tournament team. I'm really going back and forth on what I hope happens with the 8th spot. I'm starting to lean more toward if it's truly this Fall or Fall of 24, that Strathmann delays to 24. Ideally, you get another Higher-End (i.e. 2nd or 3rd pair) RH shot. This is putting stock that Komzak would be that #8 guy, then you have 2 Freshman that would be 2nd / 3rd pair guys nightly, with the 3rd as an extra skater. Pretty ideal situation for everyone.

Isn't the understanding that Komzak is that 8th guy? I would choose Strathmann first, but if the agreement is to go back, swing for the fences for the last portal addition. We're no longer in make-or-break territory but adding another high-ender with experience would really solidify things. Especially if he was a RH shot.

16F. @I Ranger called it... that decision is directly tied to the uncertainty with Montgomery.

How I think about this is Pehrson might not be the top NHL caliber defenseman that was in the portal, but for what UND desperately needed, he was most likely the most coveted player for the UND coaching staff that was in the portal. The addition of Pehrson changes expectations for next year. Here's where we're at now defensively. Pyke / Pehrson would be a great Top pairing. Zmolek would be a great Second pairing RHD Now, you can look at the talented LHD Freshman class and whoever proves it, can step into that 2nd pairing. The scouting reports on all three of the portal defenseman has to give everyone so much optimism. Defense first. That's exactly what they need for next year (from those portal additions).

I was listening to Bubba's post Spring practice interview he did on Bill Chaves podcast. I know we picked up on this from Siegel's quote, but he said the main focus this off-season defensively was to simplify, so they can play fast. Music to my ears.

UND has had great recruits in each class, this one though would feel different. Would be absolutely gigantic.

Zmolek is a monster get. Hip surgery in November, started skating in February. Hopefully he's on track to be 100% by Fall. I'm starting to feel some breathing room with the defensive situation. Other remaining portal guys are still important, but I really feel that this latest addition pushed them up into a playoff team.

Anyone else find it odd that they are releasing these now? I just would have thought they would have waited until they were finished with the portal to announce them.

The good news... nothing has really changed from a week ago with the few remaining "high-end" defenseman left in the portal. All still uncommitted. The bad news? Things could really start to spiral IF they start committing elsewhere. At this point, expectations for next year are completely on hold. Almost all dependent on those 3 Transfers.

In the Albrecht article, Schloss mentioned that they would need one more definitely (Johannes) and possible one more depth add. The question was is Johannes a depth add or not? I would say not.

I misspoke. There needs to be a distinction between available to come in and ready to come in. Clearly, they don't feel Croal is ready to come in, or else he would be. By Christmas, there only seemed to be two recruits (Perron and Emerson) that were locks to come in. Last summer, there were zero defenseman ready to come in, which I would argue had a larger domino affect than anyone could have imagined (leaving UND with zero returners this Fall). I need to do a better job of leaving last year in the past. Here's to hoping Berry and Co nail the rest of their portal additions and moving forward, using the portal to enhance, not reliance.

I'm going with having a minimum of three forwards and two defenseman that by Christmas the year prior you know are available to come in. Seems a far cry from Wisconsin's overrecruiting. You've had a few weird stances lately.

You seem to be missing the point. Like UND having 0 Freshman defenseman that were ready to come last year. Recruit more players.

Does anyone else find it frustrating that there are only TWO freshman forwards they feel are ready to come in? Why is that an issue? Because it looks like they are going to add 3 from the portal. Also sounds like they will end up going 4 Freshman / 4 Portal on defense. 1 Freshman / 1 Portal in Goal. I really like the pipeline they have, but clearly they don't have enough. The University spends more money on their program than any other school in the country. They should not have to rely on the portal like this. Here's to hoping this off-season is just one giant reset from last year's disaster.

Seems like a great replacement for Judd!

Is that the case? The do have informal meetings, but their true year end meetings are not until a week after the season is over. The only two players that left that week were Portz and Moore. Could just be a coincidence though.

Based on Schlossman’s article looks like you’re right. The 16th would be another “depth” forward per Schlossman. Berry does love himself some depth forwards. Edit: So was my assumption of a “mutual” portal entry from Portz incorrect? Why would you send Portz if you were just going to add a depth guy from the portal?

I'll take it!

I really do think the Forward group is heading in the right direction. My feelings aren't Albrecht specific. The question that I ask is how many "depth" forwards do you need? This team will have 3 (5, 11, 13) next year. There are different pockets the other 11 would fit into, but let's just say they all have more talent / higher ceiling. One more portal add, which let's assume will make that group 12. 12 Talent / 3 Depth. My hope is that we don't see multiple depth guys in the lineup every night while multiple talent guys are watching from the stands. I am splitting hairs with this. Albrecht coming back will have a very minor impact on how the team does next year. Before weeks end let's hope for. A Top Forward talent add from the Portal to round out the forwards group. ONE of Zmolek, Warren or Palocsik It really is amazing that right now, based on four portal adds, you could either be looking at a team that's most likely average or one that is a Championship contender.

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.