AJS

How about we take a page from Denver / Michigan and have a Top 9 and a Bottom 3.

For sure. I brought this up last week regarding James and my concern at that time was do the coaches potentially try to push for an extra year in Juniors, so that they aren't forced to make tough decisions with their current roster. My initial thought was the same as yours with Spicer. Is there an arrogance when it comes to local guys who grew up wanting to play for UND and is it easier to push them around. I'm doing my best to keep from running down the list of current players that next year I think Spicer will be more valuable then.

I hope we can all start here with what I bolded. When you talk about "all-in", I would argue not as the Forward group is constructed right now. When Hain / Senden came back, my initial thought was, is Berry doing an internal audit. Hain / Senden stay, who are valuable pieces, but then two go who play a similar roll. So far, we've only seen Calder go. I'm going to withhold judgement until I see how it plays out, but I don't get why this taking so long. What's so frustrating is if he were to go "all-in", I would feel better with brining in 5 Freshman and clip off guys from the bottom of the pack.

Been saying it for months. Bring all four in.

Duluth electing to bring back Laderoute (13 points) and Jacques (11 points) for their 5th years.

Some logistical things I like about this schedule. I like starting off on the road and finishing at home. I like ending the 1st half on the road. I like the week off during the second half in-between road series. Only one true back to back road series and that is starting with the most convenient road trip to SCSU and ending with 1st half schedule, so not bad. Like having a week off before traveling to Denver.

Currently 5 players from Minnesota Duluth in the portal. You're seeing a lot of the top teams making hard decisions.

With todays signings of Brisson and Bordeleau, even with an excellent Freshman class coming in, you'd think Michigan will drop to the #2 / # 3 seed range next year. Minnesota will be better next year then this year, so they are the early heavy favorites. Wait and see time with Denver and Mankato. Both would have to lose a lot (see Michigan) to take that step back. Quinnipiac is interesting as they seemingly are returning a lot, but when you look at their offensive stats, they are lacking. Incredible GAA / SV% though from the goalie tandem. I would say Minnesota / Quinnipiac / Denver / Mankato / UND would be my early Top 5.

Agree with @jk bet this was Motzko’s decision, not Cruikshanks

3 Gophers to the Portal. Motzko doing what I had hoped Berry would do.

Yes.

This is a good question. Let's say Player A has a discussion with the coaches and he knows playing time is going to be tough and he's receiving limited scholarship dollars. Some might choose to go to the Portal, but what if Player A loves playing at UND and is fine with that situation. Most likely being a healthy scratch. In that situation, having him on the team doesn't hurt at all. Roll with an "extra" guy.

3 more points for Dylan James. 57 points now in 58 games. Tied for 11th in the USHL in goals.

I get your point, but James has nothing in common with Ness / Portz (both in last year of Juniors). Portz had a mediocre year that year as well, his good season was his second to last. Adam’s is closer, but James is a PPG guy as an 18 year old that will be a 2nd round pick this summer. Adams did take a few years to produce, but his talent was evident his Sophomore year.

It is pure speculation on my part. We’ll know though based on what happens over the next few weeks. Edit: I will say though, the “what if it’s the case” does partially come from Yon / Johnson. I don’t think there’s been a guy that’s been pushed out that potentially wouldn’t find a spot elsewhere.

Not ready or not willing to make the truly tough decisions? That’s my concern right now with Berry. Calder or Blaisdell aren’t tough calls. They will find homes. Sending a guy like Budy is a tough decision, because there’s no guarantee he will. Getting James to campus this fall means sending two depth guys to the portal. Is James ready or will they try to push him back so that they don’t have to make a truly tough call? We’ll see.

Why I’m pushing the portal is four recruits currently in the top 25 in USHL points. I want those four on campus this fall.

I understand that they had different roles going into last year, but giving it more thought and after a year of watching Calder, maybe Hain coming back was what pushed Calder out. A healthy Hain production wise matches Calder, plus he’s a better overall player. Still stand by that I wish Calder wasn’t the first piece. They way I look at it we need a Senden comparison to enter as well as an additional player. If two more depth / bottom six guys enter the portal, then we’re in business.

I thought Budy to the portal was a forgone conclusion, but starting to get some doubts. Why would he not be there by now?

Budy will be a Senior next year.

Just today? I wouldn't think Hain / Senden returning would affect him at all as far as moving him down the pecking order. Those two aren't taking his PP time or moving him down the roster. What would make more sense to me is if James solidified himself coming next year. The decision was more Calder vs James. For that to even become plausible, we need two more true low end guys to leave.

@stoneySIOUX this is me. If it ends up that 3 guys enter and two are way down the stat list, then I don't hate it.

Two reasons. The biggest is the thought of, what if he's the only guy to the portal. That is why I wrote it as not liking that Calder was the first piece. Second being, I wrote yesterday that I like him as a 3rd line guy on a really good team. He's not a Top 6 guy. I do think he could be an effective 3rd liner.

I don't like that Calder was the first piece to move out. I'm withholding overall judgement though until I see the next couple moves Berry makes.

You are not wrong. Return a great core and fill in the pieces from there. I guess what I'm saying is some turnover is healthy. I know you never suggested it isn't, but I just wanted to point out that Denver didn't actually "run it back".