dagies

You know, I was going to give you you-know-what for your WI sweep prediction and then you say something nice like this.

I agree. I don't remember which thread I had posted this poor excuse for an analysis a couple weeks ago but I thought the same things. It's a bit thin. I was thinking a couple more forwards and maybe even a defenseman depending on who is available. This list is strictly going off Hak's comments that this is his class with the addition of one more recruit they are looking at. I suppose that doesn't preclude a spring signing, but sounded kind of definite. Maybe he's willing to go a bit shorthanded next year in order to keep from having such a huge class. Then bring in a couple additional the following year.

Looks like the Hak is planning to go with this lineup next year Forwards Prpich Marvin Fabian Stafford* Murray Porter Kaip Spirko Zajac Miller Watkins Duncan Kozek 1 more recruit Defense Greene* Bina Foyt Smaby Radke Lee Jones Chorney Goal Parise Lammy That's 14 Forwards, 8 Defense and 2 in Goal. Hak allows that Greene and Stafford could leave which would leave us a bit shorthanded it would seem.

This is always something I've disagreed with. Just because we are fans of the team doesn't mean we have to blindly follow everything they do and aren't allowed to critisize them. We love the team just as much as anybody and wish to see them succeed as much as the team does. I haven't heard anybody say "if this team doesn't start winning I'm going to stop going to the games." Maybe you missed what brought on the Rip on Hak thread.

Hak's interview responses seem pretty measured. While I had the same question when I read the recap, I was pretty sure he knew exactly what he was saying, and what was allowable. I agree, Sica. Hennessey never should have led him down that path.

Get off our side!

There are lots of things we have to do to win. I think a key may be staying out of the box. WI leads the nation? in PP goals. 15 of their 34 goals have been on the PP. For the Sioux 8 of our 25 goals have been on the PP. Play smart hockey and make them beat us 5-5 and we have a much better shot. Oh, and high blocker on Bruckler....

http://miva.sctimes.com/miva/cgi-bin/miva?...1112035005+1+12

Forecheck?

Thanks for the recap!!

I wasn't really suggesting he would leave early. Just that as a walk-on his roster spot might be available for a player who had a better chance to crack the lineup on a regular basis. This is just my own opinion, so don't read more into it than that. It also isn't a knock on a guy who would appear to be working very hard to keep his spot.

Here's how I see it, based on my earlier assumptions that Miller and Oshie would be coming in '05: Forwards 1. Prpich - Sr 2. Murray - Jr 3. *Stafford - Jr 4. Porter - Jr 5. Fabian - Jr 6. Spirko - So 7. Zajac - So 8. Kaip - So 9. Kozek - Fr 10. Watkins - Fr 11. Duncan - Fr 12. Oshie - Fr 13. Miller - Fr Defense 1. *Greene - Sr 2. Marvin - Sr 3. Bina - Jr 4. *Foyt - Jr 5. Smaby - Jr 6. Radke - So 7. Chorney - Fr 8. Lee - Fr 9. Jones - Fr Goalies 1. Parise - Jr 2. Lammy - So Conceivably we have enough players. 13 forwards isn't enough but 9 D is too many. I make the assumption that Foyt is a walk-on. Therefore, nothing is promised to him and I am not including him on the projections for next year. Now, back to my assumptions that Greene probably leaves, and that we lose one of the Murray/Stafford combo. Now we're down to 7 D and 12 Forwards. I think we can use some senior leadership on D from Marvin (who I've thought plays respectably in that role). Now, I think you do one of 2 things. If you can land a STUD defenseman yet, then you do that and Marvin becomes a Forward again. Assuming you can't, then you still need at least a couple of forward recruits. Maybe even 3. AND we need a 3rd goalie. I'm assuming this will be a throw-in player. So, IMO, it looks like we still probably need 2 Forwards and either 1 D or 1 F, and a goalie.

Yeah, I know. Sorry. I couldn't help it.

Interesting nickname. Not much of a ring to it, though.

I echo all your sentiments.

I have to be honest and say I enjoy watching a hockey fight as much as the next guy. However, I wish they'd remove it as a factor in the game. The above is why. It's a great game if you take out the thugs. It's their only job. To fight. Put real players out there and let them play. If they "go" once in a while ala McMahon/Vannelli, I can handle it. But don't just bring guys in because they can "throw 'em". What a waste of a Jeff Panzer is that?

the pheasant hunting scenario is remarkably reminiscent of our own Rip Hak thread

I've seen Greene take many of those crosschecking penalties in the past that could be avoided. I guess that's one reason I don't cut him much slack in that area now. Maybe the refs aren't either.

Yeah, but is the problem that he's physical? Or is the problem that he's being caught obstructing, hacking or slashing players? It seems to me guys can still be physical, they just need to know the right times to do it.

That is indeed very, very sad.

Maybe the gophers just bring out the worst. I mean, don't forget the nice things Blais and the team did for Coach Walsh...

I heard Hakstol was in Florida taping chads on ballots.