I Ranger

Exiled One I am assuming the next two "big name" commitments who are deciding between UND and the Goofs are Mattson and Budish. Am I safe to say that is right? For some reason, I have a bad feeling that both these guys are going to be Goofs. No inside info just from rumors and other things i've heard and read.

Sounds like we can cross Nick Leddy off the list as it appears he verballed to the Goofs. Hope we can find some other top notch d-man.

What about Miller getting his shot with Osh and Duncs? Remember it was between him and Frattin at the beginning so maybe they give him his shot now.

For some reason I was thinking the same thing. Hak always said last year that he wanted Forney to be a top 2 line guy and not a 3rd or 4th line grinder. But who knows maybe he'll throw him with those two to give him some confidence but I wouldn't bet on it.

Anyone know anything on Damon Kipp who is also on that team? Just wondering because I think we need to be looking to add some d-men for next year and he is rated pretty highly so I was wondering if we have had any contact with him. Also, any word on Corbin McPherson? I read somewhere that the Sioux were in his top three and he is another d-man that could come in next year.

Anybody else surprised that Trupp got the only other rookie of the year vote that didn't go to Turris? I would guess that Eaves gave him the vote since I believe you can't vote for a player on your own team. Also, I would assume Hak was the vote for Okposo.

That looks like one tough forward line-up to crack even if Duncs leaves. Brad said on his blog that Lamoureux will be on scholarship next year so you're free to guess how much. I would guess that we got him for quite the discount compared to what we offered last year.

Yeah that could happen and seems likely if they don't sign a few D for next year. As of right now, Blood is the only D coming for sure next year and we will very likely lose Chorney and Finley and the graduation of Bina & Radke. I would guess that Hak would prefer for Gleason and Fienhage to play a year of juniors first and stick to being 09's so does anyone know of any D we are looking at specifically for next year. I heard we had an offer for Leddy but he's an 09.

In 04-05 I have 7 Minnesotans (Parise, Stafford, Marvin, Brandt, Smaby, Foyt, Fabian)and 6 North Dakotans (Scheinder, Fuher, Fylling, Lamoureux, Bina, Massen). I am guessing that a couple of the Minnesotans weren't born there. Come to think of it I think Stafford was born in Wisconsin and my other guess would be that Jordy was born outside of Minnesota.

It sure would be nice if the Sioux could land one of Budish, Landman or Hanowski as well as I think that would leave the Gophs some slim pickins when it comes to the Minnesota boys. I have heard that Landman would come here in a heartbeat if he was offered but don't know for sure.

I ordered the sweatshirt and the wind jacket last wednesday afternoon and they were at my house the next day.

I like those combos other than I think Miller will be a regular in this lineup and I'm not big on Radke at all. I think there are a few nice things he brings to the table such as energy, toughness and experience but I would much rather have Miller, Frattin be in there.

I agree I've been saying all along that Oshie should center the first line with Duncs and someone else (maybe Forney gets a shot to start since Hak said he wants him to be a top two line guy) and then have VandeVelde soldify the second line by centering it with Watkins on his wing. I just think that with Osh and Vande each centering a line it gives the forward lines that much more depth.

Just think how amazing our 08 class could have been (I know already pretty damn good) if Tessier didn't go Major Junior. I'm making the assumption that he would have followed his body to the Sioux.

Duluth series for me for sure because it's only a little over an hour drive away and always a good time. Nothing like celebrating a Sioux victory at the Sports Garden with a whole bunch of Sioux fans.

The talk on the high school board is that it is true. Sounds like a pretty good pickup if true.

I was a little surprised that Trupp didn't take #9 because I believe that was his number last year. I would assume they wouldn't save a number for someone coming in next year though.

Malone is a left handed shot not right. I believe the rest are correct though.

I just don't see Davidson playing much next season. I have never seen him play and I would assume not many have since he just committed but I am guessing he will be a 13th to 14th type forward who gets a chance when someone gets hurt but not before guys like Radke, Miller and Martens get there shot. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if Frattin got a shot on the top line with Duncan and Oshie but the way that it sounds coming from the Blues Development camp is that Kariya is fitting in quite well with them and Trupp would remind me the most of the young Kariya.

I take this to mean that KO didn't get an offer he liked from the Islanders so he went back to UM. I still think he wanted to sign but the Islanders didn't want him to so didn't offer what he is worth or finally talked him into going back for one more year of development which they said he needed all along.

I agree with you Goon. It's a tough crowd around here first you don't like a guy because he isn't a physical defenseman but is good offensively then there's a defenseman who is a physical defensive defenseman but hasn't shown much offensive ability yet and he isn't good enough either. I guess we will just have to start breeding Bobby Orr and Scott Stevens to get some decent defenseman around here.

There's a Connor Gaarder who will be a junior this coming season with Edina who was part of that super sophomore class of Edina's last year. I believe he plays on a line with Budish.

I would guess that we won't know for sure on Lee until after the Stanley Cup Finals as I would assume that's all that Ottawa really cares about right now.

I don't see VandeVelde playing with Osh and Duncs next year unless he plays wing because I believe everyone is looking at this in the wrong context. I would be willing to bet that Osh centers Duncs and someone else. He has played center pretty much all his life until college where he was put on a line with two pretty naturally gifted two-way players in Zajac and Toews. I would be extremely surprised if Osh doesn't atleast start out the year as the center on the top line.

By the looks of it now, the main objective is to get David Toews and then worry about battling it out for the 09 guys. I don't believe there is room for anymore forwards in 08 but maybe a defenseman or two. Does anyone know if David would be a for sure 08 (I would guess yes) or if there is a chance he would play a year of juniors?