sagard

That will all get factored into the negotiations. The NHL teams don't want to burn bridges with the players and end up will little chance of getting them for their prime years 25-28. I doubt if all the guys will get the 30% bonus, but I don't see how they won't get far stronger offers this year than next. Their play next year is sadly basically irrelavent.

Does anyone else think it's weird how often you all play BC in the tourney? '99 BC '00 UND '01 BC '05 UND '06 BC I guess it was simply their turn.

In case anyone else was wondering, think I found my answer at nhl.com. How much can unsigned players from the 2003 and 2004 Entry Drafts contract for? Clubs may sign 2004 draftees to a maximum salary of $984,200 and 2003 draftees to a maximum salary of $942,400. These salaries are based on a 24% rollback to the maximum salary under the previous CBA for the players' respective draft years. Additionally, draftees from prior years may negotiate for a signing bonus not to exceed 30% of his maximum annual compensation. Performance bonuses may be negotiated as per new CBA rules. This tells me that all the '03 and '04 picks have to give up a LOT to return to school. The '05 and later picks will likely get the same money later and have the same basic choice as underclassmen have had traditionally. That separates Zajac, Stafford, Smaby, Goligoski, Chucko and Wheeler from the rest. I would be surprised if any of them return, and if they do it won't be their choice. The choice facing the rest of the '05 and future '06 picks is far less clear. Like Jack Johnson, many of them may decide they are developing nicely in college and since their money won't be less if they wait another year they will return.

I probably will too just to complete the misery of the end of this season, but if it's nice out maybe I can miss the first two and a half periods.

I just don't think it's going to be close. Probably UW two or three to nothing.

UND wasn't supposed to be there. The Gophers were. That said, UND once they made the Frozen Four had a VERY good chance at winning it. I hate BC and I hate UW. I potentially could miss my first Final since 1992. Probably not a coincidence.

You guys would have to go another 10 years before your drought even becomes amusing. No curse.

I just can't figure out if guys like Johnson/Kessel/Toews/etc... are really in the same boat as current draft picks. I've read the CBA faq but I can't tell if next years picks can get the 30% max transitional bonus, or if they can only get the 10%. Basically guys that return next year are leaving a lot of money on the table if they choose not to sign now.

I don't get it. Not trying to be a smartguy either. I get why PR, DI, Chucko, Goligoski, Stoa, Wheeler, Lee, Chorney, Finley, Oshie, Smaby, Stafford, Zajac, and the rest of the guys already drafted SHOULD turn pro if given the opportunity this year. They all would receive 1/3 the signing bonus if they return to college next year. That amounts to a paycut the size of a house. A lot of those players will not ever turn out to be full time NHL players and taking that signing bonus is the responsible thing to do. I don't know if this logic applies to next years draft picks. Are they subjected to the new rules which is basically a 10% max bonus of the contract? If that is the case, Kessel, Johnson, Toews, Okposo, Forney do not have the same motivation as the players who have already been drafted. Needless to say I'm thinking the Sioux and the Gophers are both going to lose MANY players. Danny and Ryan are just the tip of the iceburg thanks to Holy Cross.

Tough to see it end when they weren't at their best, but all in all a great season of hockey. Let's go Maine.

Recap for the unlucky: BC 1. Motherwell holds puck in center of a three on two. He is left handed. Gets between circles and takes wrist shot to upper right corner. Parise may have tipped it with glove hand and Parise may have been slightly screened by a Sioux defenseman. BC 2. Collins gathers a blocked shot while shorthanded. He is a left handed shot as well. Skates to top of circle and beats Parise high glove side. BC 3. Collins carries into left corner. Sioux defense plays him well and he has no angle. Throws it on net. Bounces off Sioux defensemens stick, near post near the crossbar, far post and falls in. UND 1. Spirko carries shorthanded and fires into Schnieder. Schnieder misplays puck and Spirko jumps on it with a smooth backhander into the open net.

Parise gets away with a major dive. 2 man PP for Sioux coming up.

No. 1. Motherwell holds puck in center of a three on two. He is left handed. Gets between circles and takes wrist shot to upper right corner. Parise may have tipped it with glove hand and Parise may have been slightly screened by a Sioux defenseman. 2. Collins gathers a blocked shot while shorthanded. He is a left handed shot as well. Skates to top of circle and beats Parise high glove side. 3. Collins carries into left corner. Sioux defense plays him well and he has no angle. Throws it on net. Bounces off Sioux defensemens stick, near post near the crossbar, far post and falls in.

The Sioux need to settle in and grind out a 4-3 OT victory. They can't afford to give up another odd man rush the rest of the game. The shortie and the Motherwell goal were not plays I've seen the Sioux make since the 2nd DU game. The pursuit just wasn't there.

Gotta get the next one. I now remember how much I hate BC. Collins is clearly a deserving Hobey candidate. He is the only one on BC who looks comfortable with the puck.

Don't go creating a Canadian conspiracy. Those are only for the WJC season.

Well done usual.

The end was sad, but the rest of the season was pretty enjoyable. Sure I'd like the Gophers to still be playing and the Holy Cross game will never be forgotten, but to say Kessel didn't work out isn't exactly accurate either. Take away 75% of Kessel's assists due to cheap seconds or rebound goals by RP and you still have a 30pt freshmen. ---- On topic. It looks to me like any first round pick who gets offered max bonus this year will have to strongly consider leaving. It is unrealistic to ask players to basically accept 1/3 of the money they would get this year in order to play another year of college hockey. Player development can occur in many places, not just NCAA Hockey. I don't think the Gophers are done losing players and I'd be surprised if the Sioux don't lose as many as the Gophers if not more.

It would be funny if it wasn't so true. Now if Eaves gets Lemaires job at some point I will truly hope these guys pack up for Dallas as well. ---- Anyone know what year Irmen and Potulny play high school hockey in North Dakota?

It's exactly why I wanted the Gophers to win it this year. I think the early departures will settle down after this year when the 10% bonus kicks in, but this season is going to have have record numbers of signings in my opinion. Both due to the talent in the college game and the benifit of signing this season. Does anyone know what type bonus the 1st round guys this summer are eligible for?

This pretty much sums up the Gophers chances for next year. They need to have Johnson/Goligoski/Hagemo/Peltier/Vanelli in the lineup.

You have it admit it pretty funny to see 16 pages of Holy Cross love. My biggest fear is they are doing too much crowing too soon, similar to the Gophers fan who made the "Mike Eaves noose" on Ebay.

Wear it wash it and don't worry about it. The value in this jersey isn't the autograph, it's the jersey and the ability to inflict pain on your Gophers buddies.

These two guys are probably the top 2 picks. No one knows what they will do after drafted. Not Goon, not Lucia, not Johnson, not Toews.

We'll talk about their guys next week. Hopefully after #8.