AJS

Agreed Disagree Toss Up Agreed This isn't a hindsight is 20/20 thing either, I don't know what this Junior class showed prior to UND that would have led anyone to believe they would be performing better than they are. You had a Blue Chip (Jost) Highly regarded (Hoff) >>>>> Depth (Bowen, Yon, Smith). It's crazy to have 3 out of 5 guys in one class that either couldn't score (Bowen / Yon) or played in the MJHL (Smith). I agree, Smith has been better than I would have expected, Hoff worse, Bowen / Yon exactly how you would have expected. This was a bad class on paper and it's proven out to be that overall, during their time here. I know Johnson is playing out of position, but add him to the mix and this forward Junior class (5 forward spots) is a dumpster fire.

I'm generally interested, are you saying Tomek didn't get a fair shot? I really don't know what to make of JJ, I'm completely in the dark there. Could he be playing right now? I'm with you on your last statement, I believe I wrote that they couldn't be worse offensively as they were last year....boy was I wrong.

Like the comedic relief. This forward group in general is a mess, I've been pleasantly surprised by Keane, but him playing in the Top 6 is a coaching decision more than anything else. Bowen or Hoff easily could and Keane could be on the 4th line, not really sure what your point is. Weatherby went from the 4th line two weeks ago to the 1st line last week. In all reality right now they have 4 guys who are Top 6 guaranteed, a third line which won't be broken up (or should they), everyone else in interchangeable (which isn't a good thing).

I like to think I follow this team pretty closely, I'm not really following the JJ / Tomek angle. I'm genuinely interested when you talk about the bigger picture. Where I might disagree with some is although I'm in complete agreement that these two past years have been unacceptable for UND's standards, I also don't think that they are that far off. If your bigger picture is the wheels completely coming off (by that I mean they drop into the bottom half of the NCHC for years to come / continue to miss tournaments), then I disagree. Only time will tell, but like I mentioned, with the goaltending / defense this team has currently and the incoming talent (along with some guys that have potential currently on the roster), a turn around next year is likely.

The two I have in bold are what people are questioning. Donovan (we'll see how he ends up), is the only player / recruit that has a chance to make any kind of impact. Not a single underclassman that left early under Berry or Hakstol who transferred was a loss for the team. Outside of Donovan, guys that decommitted would fall into the "pushed out" category, for the lack of a better term. Those are guys that didn't materialize and wouldn't have been impact players. Onto your other stuff, the only thing of substance is it's looking like Berry will miss the tournament two years in a row, that's a big deal. He deserves blame, but the points you are making are either non-issues when discussing why, or out of his control. Look elsewhere. If you want to talk special teams, the way the roster is structured (i.e. Junior class), I think those are more valid points.

Correct

Think everyone is assuming the worst, don't believe there's any reliable information at this moment.

Not so fast. https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/hockey/4572541-adam-scheel-goes-down-injury-unds-loss-western-michigan "If there’s some good news, it’s that Thome began taking pucks in practice again this week and is nearing a return." “I think he’s right around the corner,” Berry said. “He probably could have come on the road trip. He just came in the last couple of practices. He stayed home to get some shots and conditioning. He should be ready to be available by next weekend.” Like everyone, I have my fingers crossed that Scheel's injury isn't season ending, but if it is, that he makes a speedy recovery. This Thome news though is a big deal, I'm anxious to find out more this upcoming week.

I can't get over this, score two to make it a one goal game, get a PP late with a "realistic" shot at tying it up and next thing you know, they give up a shorthanded goal / lost their goalie for the year. UND hockey these past couple years has been one long sustained nightmare.

Can anyone ever remember a time where both goalies have been lost for the year? This is so ridiculous.

I'm in disbelief right now, not only are we witnessing the worst PP I've ever seen at UND, but tonight it ends up with the starting goalie being lost for the year. I just want this season to be over.

This is a nightmare

Yon is a one man disaster show out there, they'd be better off playing with 11 forwards.

It's not that they just can't score on the PP, they can't set anything up.

Here's an honest question about the three local players they offered recently, why did it take so long? The odds are stacked against them anyway, why not be the first to offer? You'd think that would be the best chance they'd have.

Western is a good hockey team, especially at home, but like most weekend, it'll end with frustration. I'm sure everyone saw this coming from a mile away, there's no way this team can bury the puck two nights in a row. Giving up a goal on every single Western PP is insanity. At this point it would be a miracle if UND scores a goal tonight. Best possible result tonight is a 2-0 loss, I'm thinking 3-0 is the likely score.

Comes down to tomorrow, UND has finally given itself a chance to get back into the NCAA tournament picture. Just win.

If one of them can kick it in the end zone every time, that'd be worth a scholarship by itself. It would single handily fix a huge disadvantage they've had.

I actually think pretty easily. We know the Canisius weekend sunk this team this year, without it, they'd be in the field currently. That is with possibly the lowest scoring forward unit any of us can remember. Why do I think it can be an easy turnaround? (1) Dominant defensive group - I too think Poolman stays, with him they will have 5 guys I trust in any situation (Peski is a solid #6 dman) -- Include most likely two solid Freshman recruits and you have a ridiculously deep / talented group. (2) Goaltending - Experience with both guys playing in all situations (except playoffs) 3) Forward group can't be worse. You have a home run freshman class four highly ranked prospects. Still have guys on this team that have a pretty high ceiling (think current sophomore class), hopefully a guy like Weatherby steps up. This team should be able to average another goal a game and defensively, their numbers which are solid won't go up.

Talking about the Nose guard position, for those that know a lot more than me. In a 3 / 4 defense is weight the most important aspect? If so, what's the minimum a guy would need to be to be solid? If a guy is quick, could he still be effective at like 260? Were true freshman Beach 6'4" (260) / Pierre 6'3" (255) brought in to eventual be in the NG mold or DE's? Talent wise, those two are pretty highly regarded recruits, could they step in next year? How much weight do Seguin (260) and Morrison (250) have to put on before they could be looked at as legitimate starters? I know both played last year, but are undersized for that position. None special teams, is my assessment fair that nose guard is currently the #1 glaring issue on the roster next year? Not saying others don't need to improve, but you know what I mean. If so, could a four person tandem of Beach / Pierre / Seguin / Morrison be adequate?

How are these assessments? Looking at each positional group in '19 compared to '18: First '19 projection, second '18 grade: QB: 6 / 5: Return everyone, so it won't be worse. With a new OC, comes a new system and a new QB competition. RB: 7 / 8: UND loses the best tandem in school history, Oliveria was dominant last year, Santiago unfortunately was hurt most season. This should still be a position of strength with JJ, Weah, London and Gordon moving back. Still deep and talented. OLine: 8 / 6: Lose one starter, but return 6 guys who I'd consider "starters". The depth is finally starting to build with this unit and they start out with a fantastic base. Six guys returning that have played big minutes is crucial. It's reasonable to expect a handful of guys who weren't part of that 6 to be ready for minutes this year. WR: 8 / 7 : Injuries really hurt this unit last year along with youth. Return everyone that played significant minutes. Have the experience with the big receivers (Wanzek, Toivonen, Maag), Adeoti gives them speed. Need a guy like Mckinney to take another step as he has big time speed. Guys like Greibel to get more comfortable with the offense. TE / FB: Lose Fielder, but really tough to give an assessment since they were so under utilized. Offense Overall: 8 / 6: It's tough to get over the last three games, but they were Ok before that. The biggest pro is the coaching change, that will make this offense (no other changes), better. I think there's a lot to like as far as player personnel goes. For starters, the O-Line will be improved, which helps out every other position. When looking at the QB / WR / O-Line you only lose one starter and minimal depth (1 O-Line / 1 WR - I'm not sure if Stiner played and Stanley barely played) in those 3 units combined. This new outlook should really help the QB position. You still have a really good RB unit. This really could be a good group. Is this the most overall depth they've had in the D1 era? Safety: 8 / 7: Return everybody CB: 8 / 7: Lose Harris, which is a big loss, return two solid established players (Holm, Blubaugh). Holm is a potential all-conference guy this year (if UND was in a conference) and Blubaugh improved immensely his sophomore year. The depth should be better this year, they basically only went 3 deep last year. Siegel / Odom are highly regarded and both played their 4 games while keeping their RS. You add the Hawaii transfer to the mix. I'm not sure their roll next year, but they bring in the best Freshman CB tandem in school history with Fort / Nelson. OLB: 7 / 6: Lose 1 starter (Palmborg), which is a big, but only loss. Turner is great, huge getting Haas back. Need Lawrence healthy. ILB: 8 / 8: You return both starters, who are very good. Hunt as well, but lose your depth with 2 Seniors graduating. Need a couple others to step into those roles. D-Line: 5 / 7: Bennett is a monster, will Ott be back to 100%? I'm not worried about the DE's, but there's a massive hole at NG. Defense Overall: 7 / 7: It all comes down to the NG position. Not worried at all about the secondary of the Linebackers. The DE's should be fine as well. They need to either get creative (possibly moving O-Lineman to NG), but it's a position where they don't have the size. They need one guy (if it's a drop down of JUCO), but ideally need two. Special Teams: Overall, like that they've brought in as many kickers as they have. If one can find the end zone on kick offs, that'll do wonders for at least one aspect.

Good question, now I'm second guessing myself. Trying to remember line charts I've seen this year. I know Rizzo plays center for sure, do all three? Regardless, I expect to see two freshman as the #1 / #2 centers next year to fill in for Gardner / Jones, with the other playing in a Top 6 role.

Honestly, given the terrible field position UND has given up recently on kick offs, if one of these kids can kick it into the end zone every time, this will be huge for the special teams unit.

I haven't been this excited about a class in a long time, it's what this program needs an infusion of pure talent.

Rizzo / Pinto are your #1/#2 centers, Blaisdell will be a Top 6 winger. Caulfield would be an ideal 3rd line winger.