Hammy

Apparently you must have missed the comments during the draft in which Coyotes GM Dave Draper said one of the factors they felt good about in taking him is he would develop in a great college program like Minnesota. You also neglected Wheeler's own comments in that article that you pulled the Gretzky comment from (btw, I think you are misinterpreting Gretzky's comment. All he was stating was that there was no reason to rush the kid). It is pretty clear Wheeler's desire is to play for the Gophers. Calling it one of his dreams.

I really like that pick too. Not only a local kid but a damn good player. With apologies to the other freshman out there, I thought Thelen was the best frosh I saw all year long. Especially for a kid who came into college a year early.

You do realize that just about every top college program in the country wanted Wheeler, right? I think it is good news for NoDak fans that Buffalo took Stafford. With their tight wallet, he is more likely to be around longer I'd bet.

As I said, it happens elsewhere. I am fair enough to point out it happens there at times as well. As far your quote from Lucia, taking the comment of a head coach that was frustrated after a disappointing/frustrating loss and extrapolating it to mean there were major issues between certain players is a bit much. Especially focusing it on one player. I don't see how you see the name "Vanek" when he specifically mentioned "players" in general. If I recall correctly, the comment in question was made not because of any rift but because he felt the effort wasn't there and felt the team needed to explain themselves because they weren't doing the right things that game. Of course, maybe you read in between the lines and see things that aren't there. I can't answer that.

While I enjoy a juicy rumor about something revolving around a rival program as much as the next guy, most of the comments on this thread about Vanek are pretty much nonsense. I don't go to as many of the Gopher road games as some people I know so I don't see as much of the interaction between the players on the road (where full team interaction is at its closest) as they do but somebody I know who does extensively travel with the team had the following to say. I realize I am on "enemy turf" but I think much of what is being said here is slanted more toward what the audience desires to see as opposed to what is actually going on. I totally understand that as it happens elsewhere too. Of course, it is up to you to decide for yourself but anybody around the program knows much of the slant on here about it is a fallacy. Back to your regularly scheduled fest of half truths and slandering the enemy.

Incorrect. Stafford is 10 months older.

Yeah, I guess Gopher fans are supposed to think their team sucks after winning two titles in a row and having over 90% of the team back. Yeah... right. I don't see anybody guaranteeing any result but feel free to dream that picture up if you wish. It will still be a tough road no matter who stays/goes. But the picture at least looks a little brighter with guys like Vanek returning. Frankly, I don't care what some nimrod tries to dream up for a reason for Vanek's return. Whether it is because Buffalo wasn't ready to spend the money or whether everybody felt he was better off in college another year, Vanek will be back and we are happy. I think the majority of us know the year won't be a cakewalk. BC and Michigan look awfully tough too so I am not taking anything for granted as far as the national title picture.

Rass has been a disappointment considering where he was drafted. Can't argue with that.

Just thought I'd share this with Goon since he has been so convinced (or maybe I should say praying) that Vanek would leave. http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20030...801/1050039.asp Looks like there should have been a voting spot for both Vanek and Parise staying. Can't say much for the predicting skills of the 34 people who said Vanek would leave.

As usual, incorrect. I have never worked in any field revolving around social work. My alma mater? The same institution your head coach got his undergrad degree from. Not sure about grad school though. I have to sort that one out yet. I'll keep you informed since you seem to be so interested. As for me on POI.... well, things are calm with two straight titles under the program's belt so there isn't much to debate. So we just go where the controversy is.

The ultimate jurisdiction is federal. All they are pointing out is that it doesn't mean it is prosecuted that way.

Only when it means the other guy is standing there clueless. Sort of like Rick.

Nope. Maybe you are confusing me with another guy who runs mental circles around you though.

For the North Dakota products angle, Irmen was picked by the Wild in the 3rd round and I guess Ryan Potulny was picked by Philly in the same round.

Vanek may go. But I think you overrate how easily a team like Buffalo (or any NHL team these days) is gonna be willing to shell out money before they have to. But even should he depart, Vanek's potential absence won't keep the Gophers from being a serious threat to win it all again. Much to your chagrin.

Smaby went to Tampa in the 2nd round, 41st overall.

Congrats to Zach. Always good to see a local kid get drafted high. I would have liked to see him with the Wild but I like NJ as well.

Just trying to keep up with the competition.

I guess I could say the same thing for people whose team has never repeated as national champs.

The "ultimate" is gonna vary based on your own personal point of view. Though it is certainly a heck of an accomplishment to win the league and national title in the same year, I'd bet more people may think that being able to successfully defend a national title is the "ultimate".

Looks like Sedevie is going to attend Bemidji State.

I think Goon said he thinks the Sioux will win the national title and I didn't say anything about it. So to insinuate that I only posted because one guy on here favored the Sioux rather than MN would be inaccurate when I never said a word about Goon's comments. I only posted because skateshattrick's reasoning on MN didn't seem to make much sense. I asked him to clarify why he would say a team wouldn't win the league based on the fact that they have "not won the league title the last 2 years, so I do not expect that this year"..... yet the team he did pick to win it hadn't won the league the last two years either and finished behind MN in both of those years. It just seemed like rather odd reasoning to eliminate a team from the top spot. If his follow up to my question had been stated in his original post, I wouldn't have remarked on anything. Just like I never remarked on Goon's comments.

I stuck to the thread topic and made no derogatory remarks toward the Sioux at all (I think the Sioux will be a top team in their own right). I would hardly call that trolling. I may think the Gophers are looking awfully tough and are a legit contender to win it all again but that doesn't mean I am ripping the Sioux in saying that. I think a few people are being far too sensitive here and need to lighten up.