AJS

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.

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.