tnt

I thought ditching the gentleman's agreement would preclude getting such young commitments. I guess there's plenty of time to get him to change his mind though.

He did play quite a bit with his uncle, Moe Mantha, in Winnipeg, but don't think that would have any bearing on his decision. Just trying to think if there were some other defensemen whose names were thrown around that we didn't have room for next year. I would have no problem with exploring other options if he is on the bubble.

Are you saying 3 of them plead Nolo Contendere?

And one who was thrown out there time and again in sudden death situations and gained national fame, enough to garner him a commercial on TV. And you counter with who?

I can understand his concern. In absence of the game, he and their fans can claim they are so much better. If they weren't playing in other sports they would be claiming how much better they are because they are 5 years ahead in the transition. The reality is a 6-0 record. It could have been 6-1 if they played football, but that's not the reality.

Jeanotte is too focused on dealing with the perceived problems of Native Americans than the real ones they have to deal with on the reservations.

I would think the Rams will have to set some ground rules with the media at some point in order for there to be the focus necessary on the task at hand -- football. If they don't put their foot down, it could turn out to be a media circus.

I can't say if I'm a fan of Rowe or not, I haven't seen him play. I am only saying if there aren't any late bloomers left that you think can add something decent to the team, I would rather bring in somebody that verballed to you to fill a depth position. Don't like having too many guys that don't work out, because other schools will use that against you if they can when recruiting younger players. Many have written Rowe off because of his numbers, but many have expressed that numbers from different leagues don't translate well. I don't know how the coaches feel about Rowe, but we also don't know if he is a low scholarship guy because of his local ties.

You mean like Sanderson? Is a points per game guy in the SJHL any better than a Jack Rowe who was scoring late in the year in the USHL? Not meant to be a contrarian response, just asking. I am sure there are diamonds in the rough out there, but sometimes their numbers don't indicate if they'll make the transition any better than a younger player with more upside. Definitely don't want to throw scholarship money around just to fill a spot in the short term.

Obviously talent evaluation isn't an exact science, otherwise more people would have either drafted Matt Read, or offered him in Free agency. I didn't see him being an every day player in the NHL, but he sure has made the most of his opportunity.

Yeah, would be great if he figures it out like Jeff McClean and Kevin McKinnon did after they left for a year and came back -- totally different players. Will have to call him McMurphy if he does.

You forgot Lomackman. He has problems to be sure.

They said on the news last night that he has been contemplating this for the last couple of months. I hope that it wasn't an all-consuming contemplation that removed any focus from what he was doing at the time. I will give him the benefit of the doubt on that, but as Hak and the coaches always say, if they are going to come back, they need to be all in. So, if there would have been any second thoughts for Grimaldi, who knows if the focus would drift next year. He stated he wanted new challenges, so now is his time to meet those tough challenges. Of course I thought he already had challenges he could still meet at this level. Regardless, I wish him well and hope he attains his highest goals, because it will only reflect well on the program.

How many Native American programs does NDSU have compared to UND?

Brad Schlossman had a link on his twitter account that Wisconsin lost a high-end recruit because of their academic standards, and that Duluth and Minnesota were possible landing spots for her, among others. Curious to know if the UND coaches have been in contact with her, as I would think that we should be considered one of the national contenders, especially if Karvinen get another year. Add that to the facilities we have, and you would think we would at least draw some consideration. Minnesota definitely doesn't need another star in their lineup, so I hope she doesn't land there or Duluth.

Just was reading Dave Starman's season wrap up on College Hockey News, and he mentioned his wife is Shireen Saske, the on ice reporter for CBS. Never heard that was his wife. Hope people don't tell him they love his commentary, but the on ice reporter leaves a little to be desired.

Does the league get any proceeds from those first round games?

Yeah, don't think there are going to be too many package deals sold in that scenario. It would almost be like two separate tournaments, the one before all the fans come, and the one after.

True, but would the egos get in the way of that, and would the Big Ten demand a bigger cut? You now also run into the question again of who gets the night game. Wish they could rotate those type of concerns, because I enjoy watching good hockey regardless, and it is always fun to cheer against the gophers, and I'm sure Minnesota fans would get a kick cheering against the Sioux again. You be the mediator Sagard and get it done.

Don't know if they are. Doesn't it sound like the assistants are the only two confirmed? That would make sense, since most guys wouldn't want their names as official when they hold other jobs.

I'm not one to say Panzer was "robbed", because I think Miller did have an unbelievable season, but I think it is odd that Mariucci is always lurking on this site looking to put a contrarian spin on everything. His obsession knows no bounds.

Totally agree. Get a little better help from Omaha, CC and Miami, and that strength of schedule is very different. True, would have, could have, but when you have a talented team like Miami in last place in your league, that doesn't really compare to any of the lesser teams in other leagues. The fact that a team that finished last place in our league and is already being projected as a top five team in the nation next year speaks volumes.

Gustav Nyquist, Danny Dekeyser, and Brendan Smith also with Detroit. Also, former Badger Jack Skille, and gophers Eric Johnson and Paul Martin. Would have to look at the rosters in depth, but those are some others off the top of my head.

There you go talking out of both sides of your mouth again. Just like Lucia -- first the rivalry is unhealthy, then it is great for college hockey.

Hate to tell you, but you don't have the regional in your back yard next year. With regionals in St. Paul 4-0 getting to the Frozen Four, without, 0-5.