AJS

Cue the you need to be realistic responses. I am a little conflicted as is everybody. You need to plan for the worst clearly, but I can't help but finding what you put in bold incredibly frustrating. You say reward, I've thought of it as this backwards badge of honor that they wear. As @scpa0305 mentioned, the UConn AD has it for Athletic Directors. You know there's a handful that are chomping at the bit to "cancel" Winter sports as well.

That's where I'm at. Let's use the new Ralph as a starting point. Let's also pretend that each player has a video game type rating. Next years forwards wouldn't have the high end (Take the highest 6 ratings), from honestly a fair number of teams that UND has had since that point. Wouldn't be the lowest, but not the highest either. I'll say slightly above average. What I do think is if you look at the #10 guy and down (4th line / extra skaters), that next years team will be the best we've seen since the new Ralph opened. Given next year the high end depth will be like something we haven't seen in a long time, there shouldn't be an emphasis on Top 6 / Bottom 6. Weatherby will not be surrounded by normal 4th line guys. There's no need to try to fit players into certain lines. Play them at their position of strength and roll four lines.

Relieved.

Kawaguchi had pretty spectacular numbers, obviously, Adams were solid, Mismash ok. I like them as a line, but imo, they didn't produce to the level where you at least don't give it some thought.

Co-sign that lineup. I love it. Just think, you still have Budy that you're able to insert into that lineup.

Nobody. He's so unique. The role he plays he does better than just about anybody I've seen in college hockey. I'm excited to see somebody like Blaisdell or Ness with Senden / Hain. I do think if you go thru the line up, that 3rd line will be the only one that takes a step back. Doesn't mean they still won't be solid, but Smith is a big loss.

That's sort of the issue. I also think he's unbelievably valuable as a Center, so where do you move him? He is talented enough to be in the Top 6, but who are you moving out of the Top 2 Center roles?

Am I crazy? Last years team finished 3rd in the country in goals scored. It was an incredibly efficient group where depth was key. The part where I feel crazy, is I think this upcoming years team will be immensely more talented. Where I saw holes in the Forward group last year that will be sewn up this year. Never able to find that 6th guy to play in the Top 6 (w/ Michaud / Pinto) True Talent with Weatherby on the 4th line

Congrats to Perunovich. I do think he's the best player, I could argue he didn't have the best season, but really I don't have that big of a problem with the end results. I did want to comment on this, because there is one "Senior" Writer at College Hockey News that if you told me was paid to be a mouthpiece for Perunovich to Hobey, I would believe it. He had Kawaguchi 4th, which if you follow his work isn't a surprise. He's just one vote, but it's tough when you have one of the two major college hockey sites as a media machine for Perunovich.

@yzerman19 Interesting, things must have changed (or you're right, different parts of the country might have different "normal" cut offs).

Isn't it common knowledge that the "cut off" is August. July (& June as well) would be in the grey area, where you'd see kids either be old or young for their class.

The issue I see is minutes. Rieger is so valuable, because he's the ultimate team guy. The #8 Dman that knows he's the emergency guy. That's his role. The only way I see it working is if Berry goes into next year with the mindset that the "extra" skater will always be a D-man. That way 7 are dressed every night and only one in the stands. Of course you can always expect an injury or two. I do think Miller / Moore (whoever doesn't have Jonny's spot) is special enough that Berry needs to get creative.

Here's where we sit. Leaving Tychonick Waiting On Pinto Bernard-Docker Here's my question. Are we actually waiting on word from Pinto? Or is this more of a JBD situation from last year? By that I mean he was never an early departure risk, so we wouldn't get a statement like we have from Kawaguchi, Kierstad, Adams, Mismash. I'm not going to move the goalposts, I said before anyone announced their decision, if this team keeps the # of early departures (now including transfers as well) to two or less, they will be in great shape.

Here's the situation. Trying to be as unbiased as possible, I believe if you rank the incoming Freshman D-Man, Sanderson, Kleven, Miller and Moore would all be in the Top 50. Not only that, but they've all played either 2 Years (Sanderson, Kleven, Miller) or a year (Moore) of Juniors. We know that Sanderson and Kleven will be here next year (Per Berry). There's still Tychonick's spot and possibly JBD's. For sure one of Miller / Moore will be here as well taking Jonny's spot. IF JBD stays, it'd be a tough sell for whoever doesn't get Jonny's spot to delay a year.

@Wilbur Some corrections - JBD (R), Sanderson (L) I do think it'll be Moore, but when you look at who your replace Peski (R), Poolman (L), Tychonick (L), it'd make sense to replace with Miller (R), Sanderson (L), Kleven (L)

Final 2020 Draft Rankings were released by Central Scouting: 4. Sanderson 42. Kleven 49. Miller 94. Kunz 119. Bowen 123. Halliday I do put a lot into these rankings as a phenomenal baseline. Of course guys will get taken before / behind of their "projection", but they do give great insight. Berry gave the names of 4 Forwards (Need 5) and 2 Defenseman (Need 3) that will be here next year. I would hope both Bowen and Halliday are pushed back to 2021. I thought Miller would sky rocket up the rankings. I would be more Ok with Moore coming in over Miller if it came down to only needing one of the two. To clarify: Bowen / Halliday / Miller are not part of the list Berry gave although I'm sure all are in the running for Final Spot.

There won't be anymore. The only others who you would think had a chance already stated they would return. Looking at there roster, 3 Leaving was almost necessary for them to potentially take a step back. Defense / Goaltending took a big hit, but they will be very strong up front still.

Great point. Completely forgot about that.

Generally interested why most think Perunovich will win. Not saying he won't or he isn't a better hockey player (I do think he has a bigger impact on each game), but based on the numbers / how things went this season, I'm not sure where Perunovich has Kawaguchi beat (outside of 4 more assists). Realizing he is a D-man, but he only had 6 goals. Comparable +/-, but Kawaguchi has him beat there as well. If this is based strictly on what happened in 2019 / 2020, Kawaguchi will win (which it should be). Will voters be swayed by though by the career Perunovich has had, which we can all agree is better than Kawaguchi. I guess we'll see.

Just to clarify. Berry named the following. Defense: Sanderson / Kleven Forward: Gaber / Rizzo / Budy / Ness Based on Jonny leaving and the Senior Class graduating five, there's a need for one more dman and one more forward that he did not name.

I will trust the coaching staff with not only the construction of the roster, but also the line up they feel will give this team the best chance to win. Some might disagree, but it's very clear they think it was a distinct possibility that he would be in and out of the lineup again next year. If this goes how I believe it will, with those returning / coming in, I don't see it any differently.

Good luck to Johnny moving forward, the talent he has is evident and I would say more likely than not he's going to turn out to be a fantastic college player wherever he lands. No inside information, but I would be mindful talking about a players mentality / not being willing to fight for playing time. Not saying this wasn't a mutual decision, but it wouldn't surprise me if it wasn't slightly slanted one direction (coach staff). Why? It's apparent that there are three Defensive recruits coming in this year no matter what. At an absolute minimum. Sanderson - Kleven - Moore or Miller. As others have said, this means that either JBD / Kierstad will be back, potentially both.

Too early. Kawaguchi staying is huge, but Brad also listed five others that he felt had a realistic chance to jump that we still don't know their plans.

No change at all since I posted this last week. How is everyone feeling about this? Lack of information is a good sign, bad sign? I don't really know how to feel.

This has always been my line of thinking, I love the Valpo type games.