AJS

I think everyone is on the same page. Yes to transfers, but in only very specific situations. Honestly, given the "5th" year rule, for the next couple of years, I would really hope there wouldn't be a need outside of maybe one or two per class.

Four I know have signed their NLI. Blake (03) - Chicago: 9-17-26 (19GP) *Leads USHL in points* / +5 Spicer (04) - NTDP: 8-8-16 (18GP) / +8 Strinden (02) - Muskegon: 6-8-14 (15GP) *31st USHL in points* / +4 (Leads Team) James (03) - Sioux City: 3-11-14 (16GP) *33rd USHL in points* / +6 Others (I would think would be in consideration): Bowen (02) - Chilliwack (BCHL): 6-7-13 (12GP) Singleton (04) - Okotoks (AJHL): 12-21-33 (25GP) Three forward spots available (Ford / Senden / Hain). I don't see any other forward signing. I could see a transfer out situation. Let's call the number of four forwards that will be needed next year. Last year at this time, outside of the GB guys (Schmaltz / Kunz), the points weren't coming for the forward recruits. Appears to be a very solid group to choose from next year. Edit: I know there was discussion about Spicer the last few posts. One thing to note is that the leading scorers for the NTDP have 20 points. Three of them, another few between 16 and 20, but the point being, the guys leading the team in scoring are "A" rated players. Realizing he was hurt last year, but what a comeback year for him.

I'm good with that. Kilty (Kunz) / Ventrelli (Hagen) at the tackle positions next year. Sign me up.

Kuntz was getting a lot of praise in fall camp. Although it's not his natural position, do you leave Kilty inside if as a Sophomore Kuntz is ready to step into that LT roll?

Looking back at the O-Line against SDSU, is this correct? 1st half - Lavell, Christian, Ghadaksaz, Kilty, Ventrelli 2nd half - Kuntz, Lavell, Ghadaksaz, Kilty, Ventrelli

Devastating might be a bit aggressive, but I do think the Penn State loss does put even more emphasis on this weekend. Given the unknown health situation of this team, I'd be satisfied with a split.

Given the timing, this most likely the most logical reason for it. Lots of talent at that CB position.

@shep if the 2nd DB you mentioned was Odom, I believe they moved him to WR a few years back. @siouxfan512 it sounds harsh, but from a roster construction standpoint, the Odom transfer is very helpful. I'm with you about not only it bothering me, but I think it's an overall plus. The Robertson one from the surface level does bother me. Someone who was on the 2-Deep as a RS-Freshman. What I don't know and those in the know, I would be really interested to hear, is how real are these end of the year conversations? Could this actually be, we see X, Y, Z moving ahead of you? This one doesn't sit well with me.

What would you have rated the O-Line this year vs Spring season? 5 vs 7? 6 vs 8? They appeared to me to be average or slightly above average.

Embarrassing loss.

Really curious what everyone's thoughts are on the strategy around the "5th" year guys the next few years. Originally, my thought was you want to be very strategic. Hand pick the top four or five guys and go that route. Keep that "5th" year class relatively small. Last year my thought would have been keep either Boltmann or Maag, but not both. Now, it's keep anyone on the 2-Deep if they'll come back. I'll give this coaching staff a lot of credit, I thought they did an incredible job with the roster construction. Start with the RS-Junior class and really evaluate. By that time they are four years in the program, you know where they stand. Unfortunately, if you don't see them as working their way onto the depth chart, then start there. I know the Senior day gave us educated guesses on some. Here's my "5th" year rankings. A Players (Season expectation changing players. Very hard replace) Morrison Larson Krzanowski Waletzko B Players (Starters / Easier Time replacing - Still add a lot to team) Boltmann Maag Seguin Peterson * Hinders * I hope they all come back. * Specialists, which I look at differently. Not taking anyone else's scholarship $. As far as I'm aware there is not a punter / LS in next years recruiting class. What's others opinons on the "5th year", the more that stay the better, or keep it to truly impact players in positions that lack depth, or somewhere in-between?

I forgot who said it, or which thread it was in, but I really liked the take. The highs for this program seem to be getting higher and the lows aren't as low. Nobody will think this year was successful. The players, coaches or fans. Each MVFC game (outside of Western) was within a touch down. They are there right now, or very close is probably the more appropriate saying. It's weird with how this year played out to be this confident about next year, but I think they are going to be really good. That does it for the 2021 season, we'll see everyone in the 2022 thread.

This was a fitting way for this season to end. It's hard for me to get worked up though, played with SDSU till the very end. Punch for punch. The stats weren't great, but against SDSU on the road, I was actually pretty impressed with this offense. I thought this was one of Tommy's best games of the Fall. Really not much more to say. Flip a coin in this one and like more times than not this year, came up wrong.

I would love a reporter to ask Sandelin / James about the dive. I’ve never understood it. Having that reputation you think would be embarrassing.

Can’t get swept at home. Thinking back to Saturday night at Q. No doubt Duluth was the better team, but I also didn’t think it was jump off the page difference. Driscoll made some great saves, but the three goals Duluth had were (1) Fortunate bounce, right place right time (2) Weak (3) Ferner looking like the first time he’s laced skates. Three was fair amount to give up, but I didn’t get the feeling like they could have had five or six. Saturday, Driscoll and Special Teams. Penalty kill was good, the PP until the last one was embarrassing. Go +1 instead of -1 tonight, they got a shot.

After the first week I quit looking at the participation page. Doesn’t appear to be 100% accurate would be putting it kind. It could have gotten better and I hope it did, but it was not accurate after the ISU game.

I look at this as a very important outside perception game. It's the finishing 4-4 in the conference and being compared to SDSU / UNI or finishing 3-5 and being more comparable to the bottom teams. Think pre-season rankings, potential recruiting ramifications.

Odom to the transfer portal. With the extra Covid year, that Junior class is really going to have the spotlight on it.

Since one of the two schools already has that date filled, I think we can safely assume this wasn't UND's idea.

Is there a maximum number of games you can play? Using the link above is @The Sicatoka post, just a quick look at FBS Independent schools, New Mexico State has both Oct. 8th and Oct. 15th open. They do currently have 11 games, but 1st game is Saturday Aug. 27th. Seems like the best option, try to get whatever $ you can to go down there and play.

I'm with you, this seems really problematic.

Bad assumption on my part about the Dixie State game being a buy game. Shoot, kind of your ideal FCS home / home deal really. Anything but a D2 buy game at this point and I'll be happy.

That is a good point. At least you do have two dates to work with, but this could really change the complexion of next years schedule. How many FCS schools would really fall into the "buy game" category that Dixie State was in? Could we see another FBS game, where the Hawks collect a paycheck? A home and home where UND gets the front end.

Just noticed the October 29, 2022 home game against Dixie State is no longer on the schedule (Dixie State is now playing @ Tarleton that day). This is a some what recent development as I looked not too long ago and it was on there. Seems like potentially a pretty big issue. Currently only 10 games on the schedule, no home non-conference games. The mid-season non-conference game probably throws a bigger wrench into it as well.

Definite yes to Calder / Ferner. Listed as Juniors on the UND Roster, have another year of eligibility. Jandric though is very interesting. He's only played three years of college hockey, but accelerated to graduate early (Schlossman wrote an article a month or so back) and therefore is in Graduate school. I do think he returns and I guess is just listed as Gr again next year? The short is I do think all three return next year.