tnt

Did Brad pick us to sweep? Boy are we screwed!

They better be looking to rectify this, as hockey across the board is moving to more speed. I don't think we are slow by any means, but some teams just pass the eye test of being speedy more than we do. Don't know if the updated locker room still has the saying "Speed Kills" in it, but it couldn't be more true today. I was listening on the XM NHL Channel and they were saying that Edmonton kind of got caught on the wrong end of the transition to speed with a few contracts of more plodding players. Of course they have McDavid that can get things done, but they aren't getting much production beyond that.

Would guess he is on plenty of radars, but as you said, maybe they want to see a year without Brodzinski, or maybe some juniors before or after a season. Skating didn't look horrible in the clips, but that was a small sample, and it is tough to know how fast the other players were.

Question for you, were we an Elite program under Dave Hakstol? I think you know where I am going with this, in that you railed on him forever in a day and that you could accept a few down years if we won a National Championship.

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/hockey/4570277-red-river-names-interim-boys-hockey-coach-just-playoff-opener Fraud! Again!

Considering you thought Hakstol was a bad coach, he should be glad of your characterization.

...and I had heard about it well before then. Does that make me a step above the GOBC?

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/hockey/4570050-red-river-coach-bill-chase-placed-administrative-leave-hours-edc-tournament It says administrative leave in the Herald.

The kicker for me is that early next year Brad Berry will express how important non-conference games are, especially ones that can be killers. The problem is, that most fans know that, they just need to translate it to their players better. You can dominate a team with shots, but still not have the mental focus to bear down on some of those chances. We have seen since that Canisius gives up 5 goals a night, and to not be able to get 2 on them either night is more than just a hot goalie or puck luck.

No, but if they get production from a few of the talented freshmen, and see Weatherby and Hain step it up a little, they could change the outcome of a lot of games. If the power play is as bad next year, changes are in order.

The first year in the new Ralph we struggled badly, but we turned it around the next year. Of course we had Zach Parise to thank for a lot of that. I’m hoping the whole freshman class chips in to help for a quick turnaround. Our defense has kept us in every game, we just need a few timely goals, and hopefully some of those come from an improved power play. (Can it get worse?)

I think Kawaguchi has become more consistent this year. Just need him to put a few more pucks in the net. I wish Mismash would have been as consistent in his intensity like Kawaguchi has. I also think Adams has been more consistent in his energy level the second half. With the threat of them not seeing as much ice time with the rookies we have coming in next year, I’m hoping they’ll up their game more.

That, and a few teams above them stand to lose a lot in seniors and underclassmen leaving early.

I actually started a thread like that a while back but I guess most people don’t want to say who they think are huge gets or misses when it is on record.

Not sure if you are saying the Wild are really talented or not. When Boudreau said that Granlund was a top ten forward in the league it made me laugh.

Did Mike Greenlay get demoted from the color guy to the between period guy with Audra Martin?

Seems to me we got a pretty clutch player in Connor Gaarder at the last minute when J.T. Miller decommitted in hockey. It won't be the last time this happens at this level, so the best you can do is try to find the next best candidate available.

Looks like he has some nice hands. #17

Anyone know much about Thomas Bordeleau of the development team and Carsen Richels of Blaine. Bordeleau seems to be doing very well, but is one of the few not committed. Is he even interested in college? Also, Carsen Richels is a Junior that is putting up very good numbers for Blaine. Is part of it that he is playing with Brodzinski? He seems to have a knack for scoring goals, we could use someone like Brandon Bochenski even if they don't skate well. Have no idea what kind of skater Richels is but I imagine he has some offers out there but maybe waiting for the right one.

It's kind of funny, under Hakstol they struggled moving defensemen on to the NHL, but had many forwards move on. Of course a lot of those were high end guys, but nonetheless, they did develop them well. Under Berry, it seems like we struggle with the forwards, but have a nice contingent of defensemen that look like they can move on.

Should Shaw leave, Matt Smaby maybe? Played for Shattuck, but from Minneapolis.

Define "poor".

Maybe Miami would switch places with you.

So, no problem, it is what it is, despite having major advantages in recruiting. So this all happened just within the last 3 or 4 years, because last I remembered we had a run of NCAA tournaments going, a run of top half league finishes, and a run of making the Frozen Faceoff/WCHA Final Five. We'll see how the rest of this year goes in those regards, but I don't think the coaches can be totally absolved in all of this. If mediocre is just the way things are going in college hockey, with all the budget problems we have been having, you might as well hire Grant Paranica and let him choose a cheap staff. My guess is the power play would not be any worse, and with the recruiting advantages they should still be able to finish in the middle of the NCHC. That said, I think things change next year and the subsequent years, which proves the point that they had some bad recruiting years by focusing too much on grinders and role players.

I guess if you can't beat the Griffins, you might as well get a Griffin.