I Ranger

Takeaways from the weekend. We certainly didn't play well but goaltending was definitely the difference. We have a goaltending issue currently no doubt. Our D breakdowns are atrocious and we don't generate enough offensive chances to make up for it at the moment especially with an ugly PP. Lastly we got pushed around and there was no better example then in the 3rd when Cornell came down on a rush and walked our D for a scoring chance and we turned the puck around for a rush the other way and our forward tried to make a similar move on their D and got knocked right on his a$$.

I think this will be interesting for next year's squad as it sure seems Sam will need to come in but we don't (expect) to lose any D? Does someone like Komzak get pushed to the portal? Do we carry 9 D?

I know it looks like we won't have a traditional "4th line" if Jammer and Schmaltz anchor it but I don't want to see Strinden on it! He has earned more opportunity then that. I would love to see a James-Strinden-Perron line but I don't think it's happening with the abundance of centers this year. Strinden will most likely have to play wing.

I'm surprised Simpson isn't doing the before and after in the USHL. Seems a little strange to me that he isn't.

Anyone know anything about Adam Benak? Czech kid playing in the USHL this year and a potential first round in next years draft. Wonder if we would be after him as I'm sure most of the big time schools are?

Kristian Kostadinski?

So who would be our biggest targets left out there? Berchild, Beuker, Zajic and McKamey? With how quiet Minny, Wisco and UND have been is it safe to assume we are all in on the same guys?

I was thinking Beuker and Zajic (and Hurbert but it sounds like that ship has sailed) would be main targets too? Just to name a few.

I'm wondering with both Sanderson (Karl) and Bumgarner (Not sure which coach but said someone) stating that coaches came to their house Aug. 1 to make the offers if they were two of our main targets or if they knew our other main targets would be taking visits and these two were somewhat local? Just seems like the two commits we got were pretty much layups so far. Certainly hoping we are in on some of the other bigger names out there.

More official than mine!

Looks like we got Bumgartner.

Anyone in the know as to who our main targets of the group are and which we have the best opportunity to land? Most of the Gophers recruiting tidbits I've read seem to think they are the favorites for Berchild, Trottier, Lutner and Mason Moe. I guess take that with a grain of salt. And SCPA stated in an above post that Hurlbert is down to Mich and Wisc.

This tells me they plan on signing Celebrini as well. My thinking was they would either want both to sign or both to go back to college for one more year. It will be interesting to see if this changes Ryan Leonard's mind on going back as well.

Chris Heisenberg's recruiting sheet has Grayden Slipec crossed off of UND and listed as un-committed now. I'm not surprised but has anyone heard anything on this?

Yep I'm with you. I had heard around $200K.

ASU must have some serious NIL if this is the case as I had heard when he first committed to Mich St that he was receiving one of the larger NIL deals in hockey. Not sure how accurate but heard much greater than $50K at the time.

This has to mean we pick up another portal forward right? And Littler comes in as well? We need 2 more forwards to get to 15. Sure seems strange it's been so quiet which has the feeling our portal forward will be just a depth guy so maybe waiting it out for a guy that doesn't have really have another option but to be a depth forward.

Listened to his interview on Chiclets and I hate to say it but it's not going to be easy recruiting and playing against this guy for the next how many years. I could definitely see why kids would want to go play for him. Seemed like a really good dude and his age would certainly be appealing to 18-24 year olds.

But he is a center and a talented one that has gotten buried playing with less talent than he should his first two years (at least last year for sure). As others have mentioned, he needs to get more ice with more talented skill players.

So Omac goes from 1C to playing wing next year? I know he struggled on draws and a bit in the D zone but are we certain he's not a center next year? It seems we have a ton of guys that are natural centers on the roster; Omac, Berg, Wilkie, Strinden, Jammer, Schmaltz, Boivert. I get someone is going to have to play wing just not sold it's Omac. And like others have mentioned, Strinden needs to play with more skill next year. I mentioned this for this years squad but I'd love to see a James-Strinden-Perron line. Don't think we will though.

I would guess no since Hastings was the coach he committed too

We most likely will in Boisvert.

As has been mentioned in another thread, if we could get Whitelaw to kind of even out our forward classes I'd really like the forward group. He would be a nice replacement for Blake.

This is who I wanted to target to replace Blake when I first heard he hit the portal. He was Wisconsin's best player in the Quinnipiac game and really stood out to me. Hope we are after him as he would be a nice replacement. I would think we need at least one more maybe two portal forwards depending on if they bring in Littler or not.

Definitely but I would also like to be after Whitelaw to replace Blake if he signs. Think he could be a good replacement only if Blake leaves.