I Ranger

On a non-CHL recruiting topic, I'm curious if anyone is in the know on Dayne Beuker? A guy I was hoping we were targeting and it seems odd he hasn't committed anywhere yet?

Agreed on Fox. I know he's never been known for his skating but he was noticeably slow in this tourney. Again like I said previously, this tourney made quite a few stars look average but I still think Fox is on the Olympic team next year.

I would agree but he wasn't the only one. These best on best really let the cream rise to the top. There were many NHL stars that I thought looked average (relative term in this case obviously!) on both sides. I don't see Nelson, Kreider and Trocheck on the Olympic roster next year.

If this is true, that's really scary to hear! My question is what has so drastically changed in call it literally the last 4-5 months? We get Boisvert and Emery (NHL first rounders) and Swanson (yes not a big NHL pedigree but a big time college recruit) to come in. I'm certainly not doubting you as anyone can see something is obviously off with this program but just wondering how it could fall so far so fast and what is the root cause?

I think you can take those D pair listings with a grain of salt as you know Livanavage will be getting the most ice time.

I'm with you. If there is one center to move to make room for Omac to move back to center, he would be my choice even though you know it isn't going to happen. He can't get any worse playing on the wing right? 5 points this year. I know this is never going to happen either but I've always said Berg's game is more suited for the wing as well.

This is exactly what this team has showed me as well. Take Blake off last years team and this is what you get. One great player sure can mask a lot!

I've been with you all year on OMac needs to play center as he is a fish out of water on the wing just don't think having Berg center Kunz and Schmaltz is the answer. Jamernik on that wing makes more sense than Scmaltz. Berg needs to play with more talent and I wouldn't even mind Croal instead of Kunz or maybe even try Wilkie on a wing (I know this isn't going to happen but why not try). I don't have any magic combinations although I think 22 and 18 need to play together with 22 centering.

In my mind we have a clear top 12 forward unit with Berg back. I think Littler and Andrew sit and Montgomery is going to be the extra skater most nights due to his versatility to play both ways. That would be my guess.

I wish I could say I'm surprised. I said this in the Spring when he committed. Find me a player that played in a much lesser league and put up numbers that then hits the portal and goes to a bigger school/league and even remotely comes close to doing the same? It just never happens.

The only tough decisions to be made with Berg back is the line combinations. In my opinion, I think the 12 forwards are pretty set. Monty, Andrew and Littler sitting depending on if we suit an extra forward or D.

I would guess you could replace Portal with CHL. Remember the number of available goalies increased exponentially more so than just the Portal now.

No I certainly agree not bringing in Laurila. I was thinking maybe flipping an older recruit but I kind of figured with Monty moving back and forth that we wouldn't bring one in.

I was thinking this was going to likely be the case as well. This has been discussed before but do we bring in a D at semester knowing this now?

And you can visibly see shift by shift (and even on the PP) OMac losing confidence playing out of position. He fumbled more pucks tonight than he has his first two years. Many of our skilled guys are really fighting the puck.