OopsSioux

💯. If they get some blue-chips to complete the roster...super. If not I'm totally okay with a good player who will probably need to develop into their role. I'd take a good freshman over a good senior almost every time. Next years team will be talented as it is. How talented remains to be seen?

In 2016 the best defenseman on the CHAMPIONSHIP team were...Junior Paul Ladue, Junior Troy Stecher, Sophomore Tucker Poolman, Junior Gage Ausmus. They didn't have a single senior defenseman. This year UND lost Livenavage, Wiebe. All of these guys are irreplaceable by upper-classmen. Look in the portal...they don't exist. No fan would complain about getting any of these players as a Junior or Senior but they simply aren't out there and even if one or two are every team wants them.

Agreed. Even with their success of recent I'm not sure Denver's example is the way for a lot of other programs. If Denver played Michigan ten times this year I just don't see Denver winning more than 3

Assuming Zellers continues developing his 200' game wouldn't it be just as likely to have Simpson pair with Reschny and Zellers? That's a lot of high end offensive talent on one line with Reschny a playmaker, Zellers a shooter/finisher, and Simpson a shooter/finisher. To me if those two wingers can help in the corners with Reschny that'd be pretty potent. I also think Brock Schultz might surprise some of us. I don't believe he'll be all-conference as a freshman but the young man can skate, play physical, and bring some offense. I also think Brock's impact will be determined by his role. He may be most successful working up from the 4th line however. I'm not that familiar with Ashton. No matter the case I believe UND has more questions marks on the front end than the back end.

Will Zellers for two more years sounds good to me!

Like I said, If UND gets a Carels or Dupont they have to take them. I'm just saying another guy in the image of Emery but maybe not quite that highly regarded is no loss with the current roster. UND doesn't necessarily need more offensive players on the back-end. IMO they absolutely could use more offense up front(specifically a center.). I do expect the sophomore forward class to be exceptional next year...at least they should be.

UND still has guys on the back-end that can help create offense without Carels, Dupont, etc. I'm more concerned with their ability to control play against top lines from teams like Duluth, Michigan, BU, BC and so on. Give me a good defensive defenseman and find another scoring forward this year, (specifically a center after losing Rickwood.) Edit: all that being said, if you have the opportunity for Carels, Dupont, or someone like that you have to take them and that solves that but unfortunately you'll be having the same conversation next year or two years from now.

I love the excitement and intangibles that offensive minded defenseman can bring but I'd argue this group could use 1 more stay at home/shutdown guy more than anything come tournament time. Give me a 6'3" 200lb guy that can skate and will be around 3-4 years developing his offensive game.

Rickwood was the stabilizing factor this team needed on the front end. He had some offense as well but more importantly he brought faceoff wins, dependability, energy, experience, and playmaking. The young man will be difficult to replace. Unsung hero in my mind. I'd argue he was as important to this team as anyone. Thankfully, I believe there are two or three guys already on this roster who can step into that role. We shall see. Rickwood will be missed.

North Dakota did not play their best. I'm not sure this team was actually better than any of the remaining teams. I also don't think they were worse. E.g. If both teams, Wisconsin and North Dakota, play their respective best over 10 games I believe the end result would be somewhere nearing a .500 result. Probably 6-4 one way or the other. In a one and done scenario it's anyone's guess. We can stand here and say "Michigan severely outplayed Denver and lost" or "Denver got lucky and had spectacular goaltending". But, the truth is Denver is exceptional at playing their style of game and adjusting their game as necessary. They slowed it down when they needed to and pushed for goals when they needed them as well. Michigan showed flashes, had their chances, and easily could have won the game. They also got goalied to an extent but you can't take that from Denver as that is how they decided to play. Denver clearly didn't want to go toe to toe in a wide-open game with Michigan. It was by design and Carle and the pioneers deserve kudos for execution. The best 4 teams in the country were in the frozen 4 this year and any of them could have won. It's disheartening that North Dakota only played their best for 40 minutes. Nodak is young but will lose some major pieces. Their future looks bright. We'll see how they do in the off-season and if they can stay on the throttle they'll have a heck of a team next year too.

I think they'll be alright as long as Emery doesn't leave early. I think Voerhoff can progress into a shutdown guy but in order for him to have that role the forwards need to take a step. The sophomore forwards should be great next year.

I will say kudos to North Dakota for their season. They were fun to watch. I didn't expect them to be here with the off-season they had. This team is young, has a lot of potential, and now I have confidence in next season. Thank you to the seniors for another good season.

North Dakota was off for sure but again credit where credit is due...Wisconsin didn't give time and space and their sticks were active. How many plays were broken up with an active stick by Wisconsin?

Hats off to Wisconsin. They played a better game. Got the lead and made it supremely difficult.

Gajan signed a contract with the Blackhawks. Duluth will be looking for a goalie.

Reschny, Voerhoff, and Emery could all use another year in my estimation and typically UND holds these types of players comfortably for development. They still have plenty room to be challenged and grow at UND. Spunar is very good but I'm not sure about NHL good and even if it's an option for him to jump up I think I'd rather play in Grand Forks vs the AHL. I don't see him moving a NHL goalie from their position soon. Zellers has a lot of potential and guys like him have moved on from NCAA before but that was almost always a mistake. His growth through the season has really impressed me as far as becoming a better 2 way player. He still needs more refinement than the other positional players mentioned above. I really don't see many if any of these guys taking the bait this off-season.

https://causewaycrowd.com/will-zellers-chance-to-cement-climb-up-bruins-prospect-rankings

If Duluth wins I'm happy to see the big 10 lose another but sad Duluth advances.

100%

Time to practice is one thing but being gassed is another. Physically they'll be fresh by Thursday barring injury. Mentally is another thing. Congrats Denver. Nice Try UMD

These guys won't be gassed by Tuesday much less Thursday. Helluva game though.

Honestly I've always liked Denver if not rooting for North Dakota. They play hard, disciplined, and together. Sure there have been plenty transgressions between the Sioux and the Pioneers but they're a great opponent. UMD as of late just feels like the jerk you had to deal with your whole youth and just couldn't learn to love.

The way it has been 1 more win on the season will be an absolute improvement.

Can both teams lose?

I agree mostly. I don't want to harp on Berry but UNDs performance under his leadership seemed so lackadaisical at times. I started watching UND hockey during the Blais years and got to enjoy the entirety of the Hakstol tenure. Hakstol to Berry was a drastic change and not for the better. I know I'll get chastised for saying this but Hak simply did more with less. Yes, I know the names of his chippahs. His teams were known to start out slow but at the end of the year they were always there. They were always there even when they were clearly not the most talented team. They never won it all under his leadership but very rarely did his teams not show up and most of his teams outperformed expectations when it counted. The teams had dignity and guts. Berry quite obviously lost the locker room at the end but even before that (sans year 1) the teams just seemed misguided, lost, sloppy. Last season was a perfect example. They may not have been the most talented team in the nation last year but very few teams had more talent than UND and they didn't even make the NCAA tournament. I don't miss the routine no look drop passes and regular lost battles against the boards.