tnt

Didn't work so great for Wisconsin and Tony Granato. Not saying he wouldn't be, but sometimes star players don't make good coaches, and many times they have no passion to do so. A lot of time away from home after you already did it for your whole NHL career isn't always attractive to some.

It will be interesting to see who UND picks as their extra coach. Would have been nice to get Nick Oliver, but there are plenty of nice options out there. Does Jason Ulmer get a chance with all the work he has done with UND as a volunteer, or do they go with someone for recruiting?

It's too late for Tyler Kleven. Yes, I realize he had quite a few instances where suspension was well deserved, but there were other times where he was held to a different standard. Can't do that if you want to keep NHL caliber talent in the NCHC for as long as possible.

Isn't the big news that Don Adam is out as the head of NCHC officials?

It's pretty clear to you, but playing in the USHL or other junior hockey is not college hockey, so there may be transition time. I think when Ness came out of the USHL after putting up very good numbers people were penciling him into the lineup as well.

But the team that won the National Championship reloaded another way.

Would bet the gophers and BU are right up there for #1 preseason. Hopefully they are as high on themselves in the summer and through the season as everybody else will be. Even though they lost major players on defense, they still have high end guys that have a year under their belt, not to mention they will be spending a lot of time in the offensive end with guys like Cooley, Snuggerud, Moore, etc. Just funny how they have no problem welcoming back guys like Close that are older, when they constantly complained about Minnesota State's players.

I like that they have some shot blockers in the group as well. Need those guys that will sell out and sacrifice their bodies, especially when the game is on the line.

Goodness knows if fan displeasure is cause for dumping a coach, UND would be changing coaches in every sport every year.

Kind of hard to know how he could develop since he has been injured so much in juniors and college, but given who we have as options on the first three lines, I would think a fourth line role would probably be the best scenario for him this year.

…and OM played with James as well in Juniors.

They didn’t break the bank by adding players at the trade deadline, so they still have quite a bit of draft capital, and I would imagine cap space as well. Does Shane Wright make the club next year?

But I don't think offense was going to be the issue. I don't know that the last few weeks are going to make a huge impact as far as solving any defensive deficiencies they want to work on. I imagine if he goes back, he has the chance to be part of the leadership of the team, and that could help him down the road as well.

Was wondering the same thing.

So did Duluth have to push out any players to make room for Pionk? Curious how they made room for a good player, almost like they are doing what’s best to improve the team.

How did Michigan not get that legacy player?

Strathmann also had a goal last night.

This is what I would like UND to look like, relentless on the forecheck, and all over the other team when they smell blood in the water. It seems we get a lead in the second period and we try to hold on, and possibly the reason we don’t score much short handed is because we aren’t very aggressive. I really think UND needs to get back to that aggressive identity they had in the past. Hopefully Berry is watching the Kraken and their success, along with the entertaining style they play.

I don't know that he needs exposure, as I am certain everyone knows about him. Brad Hunt and Zach Whitecloud made out o.k. playing at Bemidji State. I actually think it is refreshing if he keeps his commitment to BSU.

Unless you see Perron consistently, don’t know how you can make that determination. Also, to me grit means playing well at both ends of the ice, and judging by the plus/minus, Blake has work to do on that part of his game before he is ready to get to the next level. Thankfully, both of them are very young and it is common to have some parts of their game to work on when they come in so young. That is what is so exciting about both players, is that they have plenty of room for growth, and from their starting point that bodes very well.

I think you’re not far off. Did they not think when they quit the sitting out year for transferring that it would lead to “aggressive recruiting”?

Curious why you say that. Injuries to Scheifele, Morrisey, and Ehlers didn't help, and it's not like the Jets are a juggernaut. Did take Dallas to the Finals a few years back.

…and #2 & #3, Perreault and Leonard, are headed to BC as well.

So if you get Alex Young, do we push someone else out at some point because they aren't seeing ice time? Much like Jalun Trent entering the portal in basketball after UND took two guards from the portal, what will the consequences be? Many decry the portal, and how much we have had to use it, but in the same breath every shiny new entry, people want. It sure is tempting on a lot of guys, but then which young guy sits and potentially leaves? I've got to imagine it is a difficult choice for the coaches to pursue a talented player, not knowing the consequences for down the road. Put me in the category that the sooner the extra Covid year is gone and the portal isn't as extensive, the better.

Not saying this doesn't need to happen, but if you look at our year, I would say a bigger focus needs to be on mental focus, being hard to play against, going to the areas where you score goals, and blocking shots. You can be the best skater in the world, but if you are all in the corner and leave the opposing player alone out front, you aren't getting back in the play.