I Ranger

Especially on the PK. St Clair is a terrific penalty killer. And will help out on one of the lower lines with his aggressive forecheck. I like his game. Simple but effective.

I hate this whole nickname fiasco but have been wondering the exact same thing (and I'm one of the non-voters because I hate how the entire process played out). How many "Fighting Hawks" voters would have voted for just "Hawks"? Let's not kid ourselves, "Fighting" is winning the nickname vote not "Hawks".

What about Kierstad? I've heard he has been turning some heads in the USHL this year but haven't seen any projections on where/if he gets drafted.

If you head over to Superior, the Thirsty Pagan is also supposed to be a good spot for pizza and local brews.

Yes that's who I was thinking of. Looks like he's only played one game so must be hurt. Wonder if he is a possibility to come in next year?

Looks like only one of the two Finn's in Sioux City would be able to come in next year as one is a 1999 and the other a 1995. Anyone here anything more on the kid who played at Maine last year and now playing in the USHL that has apparently visited already (can't remember his name)?

And the Mets were 5 games worse than KC. It's a marathon regular season but the postseason is the sprint that matters. Just get in!

I think Yon would have to come in based on his age and I think you can discard Cakebread as a commit moving forward. Can't imagine he ever makes his way to campus. I would think one of Keane and Bowen comes in next year depending on departures. I think Mattson is one of those whose draft position may dictate one way or the other where he plays next year although a full year in the USHL would be beneficial.

And he seems to be a guy the coaches trust to take faceoffs as well. I don't know how St. Clair isn't slotted in as that 4th line center/PK guy when he gets healthy. With the way injuries have gone so far, who knows what could happen by the time St. Clair gets back.

I agree as well. Lines something like Boeser-Schmaltz-Gersich, Caggs-Johnson-Wilkie, Chyz-Simo-Pogo like we had before the injuries/illness makes us more potent and deep offensively. That 3rd line could really do some damage with speed and grit. You could switch Pogo and Wilkie and get similar results. Also, Gardner seems to have played himself into the lineup. Would be interested to see who sits when everyone gets healthy. I've never been big on Sanderson so that would be my choice with JJ-Gardner-Olson on the 4th line.

I mentioned this to a buddy at the game Saturday night as well. It's the only thing I can think of illness wise and not injury wise that would keep someone out an extended period of time. Not good if this is the case.

I said this when I first heard St. Clair being out the first half but you have to think Murphy is kicking himself for leaving. He would have gotten a lot of minutes and definitely could use him now.

That is my hope as well that the Defense takes the pressure off him early so he can settle in. I just think he needs to get more game experience and the confidence will come. Hopefully our D can ease him into that.

Really hurts our depth at forward with only 2 healthy scratches each night. Have to think there would have certainly been room for Murphy in the lineup. Might see poolman move up if need be in the first half.

Looks like Sanderson is getting every opportunity to earn a spot again.

I just noticed I was charged $89.95 as well. Email has been sent to them as well. Thanks for posting. I never would have caught it which is what they are counting on I'm sure.

I am not sure Mattson is playing the full year in the USHL. I think he might just be doing the before and after and will be back with Grand Rapids for the season. I agree though that his draft position may be the deciding factor of when he comes in although a year in the USHL after high school could be very beneficial for him as he could use the extra year to put on some beef.

I would think Mattson plays a year in the USHL before coming in. I would guess we pick up another forward or two to come in next year. Possibly the transfer from Maine that was on a visit a few weeks back in which I can't remember his name?

Looks like Jackson Keane and Andrew Peski will be playing in the USHL this year. I haven't seen that posted anywhere so I don't know if it's finalized yet or not. I think that is a good decision if so.

Agreed and you can include his classmate Hextall in there as well. Both should have played their senior season at UND.

This is where I am hoping Shaw and Berry's experience coaching NHL d-men pays off. Shaw's first real big recruiting test.

LaDue is almost 100% to leave. He was very close to leaving this year.

Not a whole lot of recruiting buzz out there lately. I am really interested in seeing who the first recruit of the Berry tenure is.

Anyone know much about Evan Barratt? I had heard he visited a while back and we had a good chance at landing him.

I sure hope the addition of Shaw to the staff and Berry at the helm will lead to elite D recruits like Fabbro committing. Seems like we should have a leg up in recruiting elite D with these two D coaches on staff with their NHL coaching experience. Fabbro has been rumored to be interested in Wisconsin along with others as he is the one who could get into more schools.