sagard

Do you guys see him as a top six forward? If he is a top six it's a no brainer. If they don't know if he is top six material they will have to try to sign him for less than what a normal #5 pick gets. They are faced with the similar situation as the Wild were with Thelan. Except it is much tougher because Wheeler has improved a lot vs. Thelan. Looking at their lack of salary commitments, unless they tend to commit to a bunch of free agents they can definately afford to pay Wheeler next year.

Under the old CBA Wheeler is still eligible for the 30% of his entry contract for a bonus. I believe that counts against the cap in whatever year he signs. NHLPA will not want Wheeler to sign for peanuts. It's definately far more complicated situation than Turris who was a cheap sign and a no doubt top six forward for MANY years in the NHL. If I'm Phoenix and I don't KNOW Wheeler can be a top six forward I really don't know if I sign him. Or at least I don't offer the big time money that other high picks from his draft class received. Lucia said on the radio today he would be surprised if Wheeler returns, but that we will find out one way or the other fairly shortly. I believe that to be wishful thinking on Lucia's part. The Wheeler negotiations will be tough unless Phoenix just goes ahead and pays him. If that is the case he'd be crazy not to sign. It may be his best contract.

Nice work yesterday! I left for my hockey game thinking you guys were toast, now I see UW is toast and their best player says it's been a good run.

The Sioux have a big edge in nets. If your boys stay disciplined they will outlast UW. If Connelly really has found his game it's a toss up.

I tend to agree, but Jeff Jackson has stuck it to Red several times in the past. So who knows.

Notre Dame scores. 2-1 5 minutes left.

Notre Dame and MSU trade off killing 3rd period penalties. Still 1-1. 8 minutes. ----- The teams with two weeks off have really accounted themselves well, all winning their first game.

You guys better keep their cheese headed #%^#$%^ out of Denver.

I believe he also mentioned that great 3OT Cornell/Maine matchup and that the Gophers slipped by Air Force in OT last year. The guy doesn't seem like he pays much attention. Well the BC game is now so he should be in his element.

Hockey is a funny game. UND has the top three players in skates so they deserve the win to me. I'm guessing they will play a lot better tomorrow.

Both teams are blocking almost every attempt.

Looks pretty even so far. Neither team is having much luck getting shots through traffic to the goalie. This crew is letting them play compared to the CC/MSU crew.

The holding the stick and the very light love tap on Lerg are bad habit penalties that don't get called in the WCHA. I agree that Bachman and their inability to shoot the puck straight is their main issue.

Anderson will use the whistle. It's Shep, Adam, and Campion whose games do not resemble NCAA play at all. CC pulled a 0-3 miracle vs. Michigan a few years ago, here is to hoping they get an early goal and make it interesting.

CC would have about two penalties tonight with a WCHA crew. They failed to adjust and have paid the price.

It remains to be seen. CC is really coming on strong, but MSU has that combo of Kennedy and Abdelkator who are always dangerous. Now another CC penalty. Shot/goal. MSU 2-0.

State cashes in on the PP. Got a rebound and shovelled it over Bachman.

Gophers and UND need to be VERY disciplined tomorrow or they will spend all game in the box. Those noted ruffians from CC have taken five or six penalties already.

4:13 Last gasp PP for SCSU.

I found a couple of years. The Sioux in '03-'04 were huge (33%), the Gophers and UW were around 20% co-favorites in '05-'06. I think the biggest difference was the improvement of the CHA/AHA in terms of KRACH. When UND played HC they were 95/5 favorites. Two years later the Gophers were 85/15 vs. Holy Cross and Michigan this year is only 88/12 vs. Niagara. Denver in '05 was the only Krach favorite to win it, and I'm not even sure if they were the favorites.

Did you save any of the previous years Krach Odds? Seems like Michigan at 26% is higher than usual for a favorite.

For the CCHA to be closer to the WCHA's equal they need some of their recent "great" teams like Ferris of '03, Miami of '06, Notre Dame '07, Miami again this year to be for real. For comparison Mich/MichSt are the best they have and the are pretty much a wash with the Gophers and UW. After that it really isn't a comparison. OSU's token Frozen Four appearance is matched by UMD. The have no answer for the UND, Denver and CC.

I think Sauer is going to get exposed as Michigans Briggs again this year. Hopefully by SCSU.

I think Princeton will have a lot of trouble with UND's speed the first ten minutes. If UND takes the early lead they should prevail. If UND has trouble adjusting to the tighter officiating they could be in a battle to the end.

Wiki has it right. The All-Seasons rink is the old rink. Alltel Center is 200x100. The CSTV websight is wrong. http://www.uscho.com/m/minnesota-state-mav.../team,mnst.html