I Ranger

It sounds like Hughes will be visiting Wisconsin this weekend and that they have a good chance of landing him. UMD and UND are also interested but it looks like Wisconsin is the favorite because they need forwards badly for next year and can offer 2014 whereas UND would likely be 2015 and I'm not sure on UMD.

I was thinking the same thing. I like the lines other than Panzarella in on the wing. I would rather have Murphy in there without a doubt. I just don't like playing a D at forward especially one with very little offensive ability.

Yes he didn't have a good year last year but it is looking like he is going to have to play a top 6 role this year. He is far from our most underwhelming forward to date. This year's forward group is going to have to find their roles and I don't see this team having any chance if Pattyn is one of our top 6 forwards. He is and always will be a third/fourth line penalty kill guy at best and I know he is playing that role due to injury which is why we need to get healthy fast.

Fixed your post above on the lines from 2011-12. We were short two forwards so Gleason played on the third line with Mario and Pattyn and Gaarder and Senkbeil were on the fourth line with someone double shifting usually Nelson. As far as the Nelson vs. Rocco comparison realize the difference between the twos linemates. As evidenced by Friday night this past weekend, Rocco has to carry the load whereas Nelson had great talent around him with Knight and Kristo. Big difference but they are totally different players.

I'm not exactly sure but I believe Wisconsin is and I know they have forward spots available for next year.

Anyone have any insight on whether or not we are interested Cameron Hughes? I've heard many big schools are after him but many, like UND, don't have any spots open for next year. Maybe he could be a replacement for Gropp?

I'm with you. There are 4 guys in the lineup tonight that I would prefer St. Clair over. I like his game especially as a penalty killer.

Tough to say but if Drake is able to go I like the lines from the Miami series. I don't see any real weak lines with Tambellini-Cagguila-Grimaldi, Parks-MarkMac-O'Donnel, Murphy-Johnson-Chyzk, Gaader-Pattyn-St. Clair. I could see Rodwell working his way onto that fourth line possibly and maybe Mitch in instead of Chyzk on the third.

PM sent.

I would take these tickets. I sent you an email. Thanks.

I agree with your assessment of Mitch but you have something against Mattson. I thought he was alright last weekend and should be a staple on the backend all year.

I don't. I think his play last friday night with the 3 penalties earned him the 8th D-spot. I wonder if he even made the trip.

Wilkie and Poganski don't worry me much since they are young and new to the league. It may take them a little time to get used to the pace and the strength of the players. The other two you mention worry me since they have been in the league for at least a season. In Rowe's case for quite a few years even though he has been injured quite a bit.

That's an interesting question. The Sioux have many forwards lined up for future years with the possibility of Schmaltz, Wilkie, Gersich, Poganski, Olson, Rowe and Voltin for next year. It will be interesting to see who gets brought in. I think Schmaltz and Olson are the only guarantees at this point. I was wondering if this opens up the possibility of a guy like Tyler Sheehy? Not sure if there is interest either way just throwing it out there to see if anyone has any insight. I'm thinking it would be a long shot though.

Just heard this as well.

I don't know why all the hate for Mattson. I thought he was just fine last weekend. I would be willing to guess that Simpson-Schmaltz and LaDue-Mattson are set and the third pairing is the toss-up. After last weekend, I think we see Ausmus-Stecher Friday and go from there. I thought Thompson definitely looked like a young freshman D on Saturday night. I don't recall him getting a shift in the last 10-12 minutes of the game and OT.

I am looking for 2-3 tickets to both the friday and saturday games Nov 1-2 vs St. Cloud and 4 tickets to Saturday Nov 16 game against UMD. Please reply to this posting if you have any available.

See #33. Don't forget at one-time he was part of next years talented recruiting class.

I've heard the first line is Caggiula-Mark Mac-Grimaldi. Not sure on the other lines though. Wonder if that makes Tambellini the second line center with possibly Parks and maybe Murphy or Johnson.

Parks

http://www.tsn.ca/toronto/blogs/jonas_siegel/?id=432219 Nice write up on Mac.

Eades will not be the guy even if he continues to have great success in the USHL. His departure didn't have much to do with his coaching ability. I think this is a moot point for a while though. I don't see Hak leaving any time soon.

I was thinking the same. When he committed late winter/early spring, I assumed he was a shoe in to come in this fall and all signs I've heard/read were that he would be able to step right in.

He is only 5 months younger than Ausmus and going to be anywhere from a 1st to 3rd round NHL draft pick so he is coming in. Not to mention Ausmus says that is who he will be living with. Looks like the big question is whether or not Stecher comes in.

I hope this doesn't happen. Minnesota did this almost the entire year and I think it held them back. Yeah they won a lot of games but I think they would have been even better if they rolled 6 D and 12 forwards a night rather than dressing 8 D and having them shuffle in at forward. I've just never liked the idea of forcing a D to play forward just to get him on the ice.