beastandco

Let’s start the UMD pipeline!

I’m looking forward to seeing what Sophmore Zellers and Junior Swanson can do with McKamey if he’s as good as advertised.

I have no idea how deep CHL teams’ pockets are. I wonder if it’s possible that some of these teams pay big money for their players to stay instead of going to college.

I wonder if UND is heavily recruiting Carter Bear even though he might not play most of the year next year. He's close to home, he can rehab in some of the nicest facilities in college hockey, and play on a competitive team once he’s ready. I don’t think a lot of teams would be throwing a bunch of money at him because of his injury but who knows. He would be a huge spark for this team in the 2nd half.

The agent factor is something that I haven’t really thought about. Every agent will want them to chase a bag because they’ll get a cut of it.

I think within the next 5 years it will become the new norm to play college if you aren’t going straight to the NHL after being drafted. CHL players won’t be “silently” committed to college programs because leaving the CHL will be common if it isn’t already.

Yeah you might be right. Hopefully a big weekend against Minnesota in October sets the tone for the rest of the season. I think this team has potential. I am much more optimistic than I was about a month ago.

Looking at our schedule for the first half of the season, the only weekends where we might be overmatched is the Minnesota weekend and ASU weekend. As of now, it looks like it will be a down year for Minnesota next year. I am not impressed with their offseason

Honestly, if our back end is as good as advertised and we get a top 6 center, what would we realistically be ranked before our first game? I think we would be a top 10 team for sure.

Would be shocked if Michael ended up there. He seems likely to sign his ELC after he’s drafted top 2/3. I think this move by his bro makes it more likely that he goes pro. A top 3 draft prospect going to Penn State just does not make sense in my head

Mac was always going to be a 4 year guy. Hes too small to leave college early for the NHL. I would be shocked if he wasn’t a point per game player by the time he’s an upperclassman

Other than Hutson, I don’t know if there is a better quarterback of the power play than Livanavage too. Jake might be the best defenseman in the country next year (hot take)

I think Zellers can have a season similar to Jackson Blake’s freshman season. Is it unfair of me to say anything less than 25/30 points from him would be disappointing? He was by far the best forward in the USHL last year offensively

I would argue that the players that gave the most inconsistent effort left in the portal. I don’t think I ever doubted the effort that the guys on this roster now put in last season

The only thing UND doesn’t have that other teams do is money. I don’t even know if there is more than 5-7 teams that would outbid us.

All were good gets. It is encouraging that they chose UND over many big ten schools.

Our back end also provides scoring. Wiebe and Livanavage are elite

I lived with two guys on the football team this year and they both said after Schmidt’s team introduction that he is exactly what this program needs. It seems like Bubba and Brad were similar in the fact that players respected them as a person, not necessarily their ability to coach. Schmidt seems to bring the element and hopefully Dane does too

Off topic, I think Schmidt is doing a hell of a job so far. Looking forward to seeing what this fall brings. I think Dane has an opportunity to do the same. I look at this roster and think we are one or two guys up front away from being a top team.

Money, relationships, roles on the team, advisors, and so much more. I cannot imagine the hurdles the Bryn and the staff have to deal with

I find it hard to believe players drafted outside the top 15 look at a BU, Michigan, Michigan State, and Boston College and think “why don’t I just go to UND and play a top 6 role for 2/3 years” Most of these kids are used to being the guy, come be the guy at UND

I would argue UND (Grand Forks) is regionally positioned as well, if not better, than any school. UND is super close to Winnipeg and all of the Minnesota kids. That’s not even mentioning Fargo and Grand Forks. Building relationships with teams and coaches in the CHL is very important to UND’s ability to recruit high end talent in the near future

DuPont is the same age as McKamey. If Zellers and others turn out to be good players. I could see how UND would be intriguing for him if he came as a D-1

Does Malone’s CHL team have any uncommitted forwards that would be good gets for us? That could be something to watch

I do think having guys like Zellers and Swanson works both ways when dealing with NHL teams. If a center is committing that is already drafted, I would assume their NHL team wants him to play in a situation that would help his development. Playing between guys like Zellers and Swanson is something that a lot of teams cannot provide. Swanson will make a step next year.