tnt

Just found it odd that it looks like they had a whole class sign at once, but not him. I know a lot of people talked about Motzko trying to flip him, so wondered if they got to him. I assume he would be going to Denver next year and not the following the way he is producing in the USHL.

Why would Western need a new coach? They are doing a lot better now and have had quite a bit of talent moving through there the last 4 years or so.

I see Denver had a bunch of LOI's signed today, but no Bobby Brink. Anyone hear any buzz on him decommitting?

Real classy.

Yes, he knew it had to be done, when 80 percent of people on this board knew it needed to be done a year ago. With many fans talking about giving up their tickets, I would hope it would be a no brainer this year.

It would be interesting to see how they approach that with players. Hopefully they understand the draw of the State Tourney for Minnesota kids. They seem to be losing the steam we had recruiting top Minnesota kids and focusing more on Junior players. Duluth has done much better than before in top end Minnesota talent.

...and let's not forget that there was no love lost between UND and Randolph because UND pushed Forbort to play for USA hockey, foregoing playing for Duluth East again. Randolph reminds me of Jim Montgomery, it's all about him.

They need to figure out some way to neutralize Perunovich, as he makes them go. Staying out of the penalty box would help immensely.

...and how many turnovers did they have this year, compared to the number of plays run? If you're playing percentages, it isn't even close, especially if the other team feels the same about your offense.

He could become an internet troll and hang out in his basement like some people. Of course you wouldn't want to be doing that in your 70's, that would just be pathetic.

.. so an if you can't beat them, join them scenario?

They have so many great young prospects, but in the NHL you don't have a lot of time to let them gel together, because people want you to win now, especially in Philadelphia. You look at how close the standings are, and most teams that go on a 5-6 game winning streak or losing streak can find themselves in or out of playoff position.

There have been times when they say the recruitment on someone is down to so many schools with UND in the mix, so that is hardly keeping quiet. Not sure he is as plugged into the UND coaches as you think. Remember, he was taken by complete surprise as to the cutting of women's hockey when many on this board had been pointing to it well before it happened.

It will be interesting to see the demeanor between the coaches and Sandelin this weekend. It hasn't been that cordial lately, but this certainly won't help.

Actually, I find it to be quite the opposite. Schloss seems to have no knowledge like Virg Foss did about recruits that are coming, in fact there are many times this board has foretold new commits well before Schlossman put the information out.

Does Winnipeg have the cap space, and if they do, would they want to cloud the picture by having an All-time Captain in the picture while Blake Wheeler is Captain?

He always seemed to be a very cerebral guy when he played here, maybe because his dad was a coach. Hopefully he can turn this offense around.

Sounds like it according to Schlossman's blog, which is a shame. Hopefully the coaches take time out of their trip to Duluth this weekend to let the guy know how valuable he is to their plans.

Are the players getting the chances to score? I would say guys like JJ could have 8-9 goals if he converted on some of his chances. Not sure how that can be on the coaches unless they put a jinx on his scoring touch. I do think the ultra focus on the analytics of puck possession to the exclusion of the ultimate analytic of finishing sometimes clouds the picture of who gets the most ice time. We saw that last year with Simonson and Olson playing in situations where we needed goals down the stretch. My biggest contention isn't about the 3rd and 4th line guys, because most teams don't get a whole lot of production from those guys, but I think we lack a bit in the top two lines with real finishers. Hopefully you get some more of that next year, but then you lose great two way guys that give you puck possession in the offensive zone by winning faceoffs in Jones and Gardner. You can't replace that kind of dominance.

You can look up and down every lineup and find a lot of guys like that. Taylor Cammarrata at Minnesota lit up the USHL, but struggled in college.

Maybe the player he wants to flip has crowd anxiety, so Minnesota would be a better fit.

Exactly, and the eye test will still be there as far as whether the play calling is progressive or same old, same old. Fans will know.

Would agree with this because all the young recruits aren't going to hit, and if you get rid of guys that don't produce a lot, but know what the coaches expect about playing defense you may actually have to score 4 goals a game instead of 3 to win. Consistency isn't something synonymous with freshmen, both defensively and offensively. Again, Adams is a perfect example of that. It's funny because with average goals per game at about 3, there are always going to be guys that don't score very much, especially when they aren't part of the power play units.

Just watched part of the replay of the Minnesota and Michigan State game, and there couldn't have been more than 3500 fans in the stands. It was actually a pretty good crowd at the Ralph against a boring Alaska Anchorage team, yet against a conference opponent Minnesota can't even fill half the arena? If I was a recruit, I'm not sure I would want to be a part of that atmosphere.

There have probably been guys that left because of lack of playing time just as there have been under Berry like Chartrand, etc.