SpudsSioux

This feels like a big get if it is indeed Williams. Rookie numbers (21-36-57 in 68 games) are in the same ballpark as the rookie numbers for some of the big names that have been thrown around this year: Rechny (21-38-59 in 61 games), Kindel (15-46-60 in 68 games), Bear (25-32-57 in 67 games).

Agreed. That would still be a good start.

I would love to see them add a big CHL name (McKenna, Rechny, Kindel, Bear are my favorites), but I also won't think the sky is falling if we don't this first year. After hearing how absent we've been on the recruiting trail and building relationships with agents/advisors, it's a tall task to expect BC to reel one in this soon. I have no doubt that as he builds relationships (and hopefully we start seeing a better product on the ice and being a contender) that he will routinely be getting 1-2 of those per year. Overall, I'm liking what I'm seeing from a roster construction standpoint. Balancing out the classes a bit and looks like there's more of a strategy around who they're getting and the type of game they want to play. Being able to make a coaching change and retain an all-american, a former USHL player of the year, a first round pick and 2 of the first-team USHL guys from this year is a good sign. If we hadn't made a coaching change and added BC to the mix, I would be much more doom and gloom if they don't get a big name this year. I really do think if it's not this year, it's just a matter of time now.

Interesting. I didn't realize it wasn't higher in 2016. Easy to forget when the end result worked out. Like I said, I don't know whether he was good or bad, but I know that getting rid of him certainly didn't solve the puzzle as it's been more of the same over the last 8 years.

I agree. I remember guys that played for the Force when Herter was there and they often talked about how good he was at skill development stuff (and that included forwards). I know it's a pipe dream and he's probably not in the mix/didn't apply anyway, but if Herter got it, I would have zero worries that he would be able to coach forwards.

Shaw was on the coaching staff that won a national championship, too. Who knows how good or bad he was, but you can only do so much with the skill you have to work with and there was a noticeable drop off the next couple years. If Shaw was the only problem, we wouldn't have seen more of the same over the course of the next 8 years, in my opinion.

NTDP doesn’t play playoffs right? Did their season end this week too? Signs point to Herter or Fohr timing-wise.

I hope it’s not Pilgrim. I hope they take a wait and see approach with him for now because he bleeds green. There were rumblings of a lower level OHL guy that was quietly committed under Berry. I’m hoping it’s him.

Yeah good point. It just seems like it’s been a long time since they didn’t have one on staff as a full-time or volunteer coach. 2010 maybe

That's the only thing giving me pause as well. I do think with how long and successful Herter has been, he is likely just a very good all-around hockey coach and can probably fit anywhere, but it still feels a little bit odd. Also, maybe it's been brought up before, but who works with the goalies under this model? It seems kind of crazy for a program like UND to not have a goalie coach, but maybe they had to sacrifice that to use that spot for a GM. Can they still have a goalie coach that just isn't on the bench or is it 4 coaches max?

and about half the distance to his lake place...Let's hope Martinson and BC were firing on all cylinders with their sales pitch last weekend!

I can't imagine they put this as an Associate position and the salary range at $185,000 - 222,000 to bring in St Clair. Love his upside as a young coach, but this looks like they're going after Herter. I have no inside knowledge or even know if he would take it, but it certainly looks like they're making it compelling enough to try to get him. Looks Like Herter was making $110,000 at Western.

To me, that reads like Jax pulled the offer. Would make sense. He doesn’t play the way Jax says he wants to play.

Obviously landing McKenna would be an absolute game changer, but the article in itself gives me a sense of optimism. 1) Referring to Michigan and UND as Blue Bloods. Knowing those further from the program still see UND that way and in the same category as Michigan is good to see. 2) Free press with the GM move and saying "North Dakota isn't messing around". It really gave me a "UND isn't going down without a fight" sense and I love that. It's been a bit doom and gloom here lately thinking our best years are behind us, so reading that was refreshing. 3) I actually think the less portal news right now the better. As some have said, there really aren't any studs in there. I'm inclined to think that Jax and Co aren't just settling and they're going hard after the CHL right now.

Who he chose to keep from a salary standpoint makes sense. As long as he trusts Simmer and thinks he's doing a good job, it's a no brainer. The two positions that are open (Dane's previous position and Karl's) were significantly higher. Hopefully he's hoping to lure a big time guy away with a good raise. Dane's salary in 2024: $214,493 Karls's: $191,407 Simpson's: $100,000