tnt

... and listen to fans rag on you because the puck slipped over your stick and you couldn't get it out of the zone. Seriously, while the Hollywood celebrities have to deal with the Paparazzi, they get huge amounts of money, while these guys have to deal with scrutiny and reap an education. Sure an education is worth a lot, but they also could be making a nice living in the AHL and not have to deal with fans that think that whiffing on a puck is a capital offense.

Could very well, but Tim Hennessey said this morning people he talked to says both he and Gardner are leaning towards staying. He did say that he has heard that in the past and it has gone the other way, so take it with a grain of salt.

Who do you replace them with, guys that fans will say aren't scoring either? Guys who scored a lot at their previous level didn't score much last year, so who are you going to find at the last minute who will put up more goals, and even if they put up a few more, they may have to figure out things on the defensive end like Adams.

Had the same thing happen. You would think they would want their fans to get a hold of as many tickets as they can, but it is St. Cloud, so it doesn't surprise me.

As I recall, you were one of the people that continually were ripping Hakstol for not winning the Big One.

When you win it all, you often times lose your core of elite players, except in Denver's case. It is very hard to overcome that one year, but even harder when you lose another big part of the core the year after. Personally, I believe that if Tyson Jost stays we are challenging St. Cloud and Denver for first place. Our powerplay is improved, our penalty kill wouldn't have given us as many issues, and we have someone that can rise to the occasion in big games and as the games are deep in the third and overtime. We had what, one shorthanded goal all year. Jost gives us so many more shorthanded opportunities, and not only would we not have gotten to so many overtimes, those that we did get to might have fallen in our favor. Say what you want, but the coaches fully expected him to be here a second year, rather than the 2nd one and done after Eddie Belfour.

It is frequently the case on the All-NCHC teams that to the victor go the spoils. Unless a team doesn't have someone who sticks out, they most likely will get the benefit of the doubt between players that are close.

Exactly, let's see what Denver does without Borgstrom, Terry and Gambrell.

We were right there with the best team in the country despite losing 8 guys early that last two years. Let's see what happens if St. Cloud loses Schuldt, Borgen and Poehling.

That was a Minnesota thing at the time, not an NCAA thing. If they choose to go down that path, the Islanders will end up paying for it. Go where you can get the best players. Where would the Bruins be without the influx of talent from the NCAA, Donato being the latest.

Well, we did just have all #4 seeds taken by teams that would have otherwise not made the tournament. Going forward tournament upsets are going to become more frequent.

With today's college hockey parity, you may not see a team get to the Frozen Four as many times as Hakstol did in such a short time span.

I knew they were hot, but I didn't know they were that hot. Our record down the stretch sure wouldn't have struck fear into our opponents.

Don't know if he's not an NCAA fan, as he played for Maine and has drafted NCAA players, but would hope a later round pick isn't expected to develop fast.

Gotta say there are just as many people on the other side of that ledger as well who are preoccupied with every little thing that they perceive as a slight to a new nickname.

Wouldn’t put any bets on that in Vegas.

Would have been hard to justify Jones over Adams coming in as well, or even Simonson or Olson over Adams during the year. The coaches have shown that they are going to go with compete level, regardless of stats, which is why I wouldn’t even be surprised to see Huber crack the lineup here or there. He has put up 6 points in two playoff games, and even Keane has 4 goals in 6 playoff games, but we know stats don’t always translate.

I wouldn’t count out Senden from being in the lineup, especially if he can kill penalties.

Exactly, this is when you get to see what a players got when all the chips are on the line. Think about it, they haven’t been able to focus on this in the past 15 years, so get out there and find a diamond in the rough so we can start a new streak.

I have 2 tickets in the front row behind the net, section 122 Row A for whole tournament. Paid about $78 each. Will take$50 each. Also have 2 tickets at center ice in Row C of upper deck on the aisle. Section 204. Same deal as above. Call Brian at 701-330-8439 if interested.

Physically and defensively, yes, but not as much of an offensive presence as many defensemen we have had.

The uncertainty in the short term could be a possibility, but going forward, I think if they got rid of Lucia and his arrogance, I would bet that a lot of the recruits they are losing might flow back Minnesota's way. I suppose that depends on who they would get to replace him, but here's to having Lucia hang around like a Red Berenson clone!

I think Hennessey said the plan is to keep Johnson at forward.

Who is Schuldt’s partner for St. Cloud? If it’s Borgen or Ahcan, it would be nip and tuck.

Just goes to show you how inexact the science is on recruiting. All the players that didn't have any buzz in recruiting circles or fan interest are our best players -- Wolanin, Poolman, and Jones. Here's to hoping we have a few more diamonds in the rough in our current recruiting classes.