mikejm

Ummmmm, are you saying he has to show his crack? Has it come to that? October can't get here soon enough.

As much as I'd like to jump on the bandwagon here, I see too many unanswered questions on this Fighting Sioux team to make them the overwhelming favorite to win the WCHA. Where is the scoring going to come from? Who is going to step into JToews' position who can feed Duncan and TJ? And beyond that, who is the go-to guy? Similarly, I don't see UofM dropping outside the top three. There is simply too much talent left. And I'm not about to overlook either Denver or CC. St. Cloud finally has a competent coach and some legitimate talent. I see the top five from last year simply swapping a position or two in the final standings: 1 UND St Cloud (tie) 3 UofM 4 CC 5 Denver 6 Wisconsin 7 Tech 8 Duluth 9 Mankato 10 Anchorage

I keep reading about how we need to show "respect" to people by giving them a contract extension before their existing deal is expired. Is this a new thing? Did I miss the memo? Hakstol has a contract with the university to perform a job. The university has a contract with him, under which he'll get paid a not insignificant amount of money in return for performing that job. Quid pro quo. I think it is time for some people to take a deep breath and relax.

Too lazy to re-read this entire thread, but wasn't Buning supposed to be fired by now? Did I miss something?

Well, next to Michigan, of course.

Well..........now that you mention it....

This is my biggest concern about the team, both in the past few years and looking ahead to 07-08. Slow starts have left the team no room for error down the stretch, and perhaps expending too much energy just to lock up a home playoff series. Regardless of the sound bites, you gotta know the coaches and the players are watching the Pairwise and they know how important each and every game is down the stretch. That has to be wearing on them emotionally and to some extent physically. How 'bout they come out like a house afire and kick some azz in the first half? Any tinkering with lines and defensive pairings from then on out is merely fine-tuning, not searching for a spark. I'm not saying coasting into the playoffs is desirable, but how nice would it be to be able to consistently roll all four lines in February and March, getting everyone ice time and into the flow? As opposed to having your top two lines and d-pairs skating absolutely critical shifts every time they hit the ice? And Shawn-O, a top half WCHA finish has to be a given. I think anything less than second place this year is a disappointment. As I said in a thread long ago and far, far away: these guys have to make this season personal. Every last one of them. From Day One.

We all are a little bit dumber for having read this thread. And it started off so strongly. Sort of like summer reruns. Or those crappy summer-premier shows.

I appreciate your sentiments in starting this thread Triouxper, and also applaud the young men mentioned for their decision to return for another run at the NCAA title. I don't think "loyalty" is quite the word you were looking for, though. It is close, and I can't quite find the right word within my synapses. But loyalty isn't exactly right. As I said, I am thankful for

I love this:

Hmmmmmmmm, how many 20-goal scorers you see on this list? How 'bout 15-goal scorers? Better hope the youngun's bring their scoring touch.

Yeah, like, um, enough of the negative vibes, man.

You're not doing your credibility any service here. I'd suggest you invest in a grammar and spell checker.

If

That "certain poster" is still on her way home from the Draft. I'm sure she'll comment if she can.

I've actually had some interaction with one of the "players" in this drama and he is amused at the talk here. His comment was something to the effect that the "informed" are quite un-informed.

Actually, back when I was in school, I encountered on many occasions several hockey players having a quite difficult time finding their ways home from the bars. Does that count?

Yes, I called you a dope, but not for the reason you cite. I don't believe Lee is ever going to be a big hitting physical defenseman; regardless of how long he stays here, or where he goes after college. That just isn't how he's ever played the game. With that in mind, my rhetorical question of the Sens was if they'd go out and find some hitters rather than bring Brian in, who certainly doesn't fill that (apparent from the Cup finals) need. The Sens simply didn't have the physical game to match up with what Anaheim was throwing at them.

Although I still think Brian will sign as soon as the bonus money is worked out, seeing the Sens get their azzes beat up by the Ducks makes me wonder if Ottawa will re-think bring him in as he will not change the dynamic their current d-corps bring to the ice. Might the Sens instead decide to go after some big hitters?

From a very reliable source regarding Mr. Lee:

I heard (from a fairly reliable source) that he's coming back to head up marketing for THETRIOUXPER game-worn stuff. (Or was that gamey, worn, stuff?)

Nice to see the boys have all perfected their autographs!

I almost hate to bring this up, because I don't know how many of you might already know this, but I wasn't recruited by UND as a scorer.... but I sure turned out to be!

Do you mean mute or moot? Big difference.

Keep your eyes on VandeVelde this year. Going to be a consistent, pleasant surprise to many. The kid's got talent.