AJS

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".

It's not advantageous for the player to wait to enter the portal or for the coaching staff to lead anybody on. We found out about Senden / Hain yesterday. I would say start the clock this morning. If we don't hear about anything in the next 3 days, the portal is not happening. I do think we will see it, so it'll happen sooner than later.

Denver did return a lot, but did look at their roster this year? They nailed their Freshman class. Mazur (36 points), Rizzo (35 points), Behrens <Defense> (29 points), Devine (18 points), Buium <Defense> (17 points). Also, added a 22 goal scorer as a Grad transfer in Wright. 35% of their points came from players that were not on their roster last year.

On a great team, Calder would be a perfect 3rd line guy.

Look at the line charts for Denver / Minnesota / Michigan. Mazur / Rizzo / Wright on the 3rd line. That'll get you to the Frozen Four. Duke / Beecher / Samoskevich on the 3rd line. That'll get you to the Frozen Four.

You would think this would be something that we'll find out really soon, like end of week type deal. The sooner the better for the player if they were to go to the portal.

This is ultimately the million dollar type question that Berry will have to answer soon. Is he going to look at his available roster / incoming recruits and build his Forward group to make them in his eyes the strongest potential group. To add to your first sentence, is he going to look at Hain / Albrecht for example and pick one. If that's the case, you'll see at least two current forwards enter the portal, maybe more. Senden / Hain play a roll others play better. Edit: My idea of the strongest roster might not be Berry's, obviously. He might like the Senden line at 3 and Ness line at 4. For me, I would like only one "checking" type line.

Domino # 1 has fallen. What's exciting about this is Berry is seemingly constructing his ideal roster for next year. He wanted Hain / Senden back and they are coming back. Home runs in the portal at Goaltending / Defense. Still domino #2 (potential portal current players) #3 (who's in from FR class).

Lets get some predictions, how do you see the forward position playing out? This is what I think will happen, not what I hope happens. Senden / Hain both return 1 Player on current roster enter the portal 3 Freshman forwards (Blake / McLaughlin / Strinden) I think they carry 16 forwards next year.

Is next years Defense going to be up there with recent great units (2020/2021 - 2015/2016)? It's definitely deeper then 2020/2021.