Big A HG

We need to shore up the defensive side of our defensemen before going after more offensive defensemen. This year we already have Genoway, Marto, Gleason, and LaPoint (to an extent). Next year we'll have all of them besides Genoway. I'd love to have a defensive tandem or two that are pure shut-down defensive pairs that are out there to stop the top opposing line(s). When you have these defensemen that essentially play as forwards you are losing that defensive edge which is the main reason they are out there. And what has Marto done that makes him so special?

Do we need another one of those types? I don't think so personally.

It's about time you officially have no life.

Derek Forbort...next year.

*Laughing out loud* I suppose everyone is a potential first round pick until the 2nd round starts :angry:

I'm with you. I expect this team to be good, but not championship worthy. If we couldn't win a title 2006 or 2007, it'll be tough to convince me before the season starts that each year is going to be "the year."

The Final Five in Milwaukee or Chicago would go over like a fart in church.

Every year we come up with a way to justify a repeat of a past championship season...

I didn't say that if you had those types of players you are guaranteed a spot in the title game. I said that it seems like you need a couple of those guys to put you over the top when you do get there. Different thinking.

How different was college hockey then? Teams need a little star power these days to have a chance at that title.

Judy's? Sorry, couldn't resist...

Yes and no. Yes, because it would be safe to assume those players have more natural talent than others. No, because you have to: a) use the players the right way, b) have a balance of players that fit the system you are trying to incorporate Minnesota and Wisconsin have had some great draft classes many of the past seasons. Our last great draft class was the one that just graduated (albeit they were drafted in different drafts). Look at where UW and UM were when the playoffs rolled around this past spring. Also, keep in mind, Ryan Duncan put up stellar numbers before coming here, yet remained undrafted. Your odds are very against you in becoming another Ryan Duncan, but maybe Mattson can be a second coming. I know he can still be drafted next year, but I still find it very strange that a team didn't burn a late round pick taking a chance on him. It really shows that there's something behind the scenes, in my opinion.

I took some pics of the storm....as always they turned out worse than I wanted. I have a not-too-special point and shoot camera (7.1 MP) I'll see if I can get around to posting a few.

I'm in the air as to whether or not I like it. It's different, that's for sure.

I wonder if there is something going on behind the scenes with Mattson that the coaches here and NHL teams know about. I mean, everyone predicted him to be a 3rd-4th rounder and a lot of people thought he was ready to jump in here for 09-10. It makes you wonder if there is a mystery injury, personality issue, or just flat out bombed at the combine. I would think it would be hard for a team in the later rounds to pass up what everyone thought would be a 3rd-4th rounder if there wasn't something wrong.

I understand where you are coming from with the UNO comment....but.....(without Blais) which team do you think would be more successful in the WCHA? With Blais it's definitive that UNO will likely be the better team, but even without, I think UNO would still place higher than BSU. The reason I say that is you make it seem like BSU is a better team, and therefore a better fit, for the WCHA based on your comment about UNO being a perennial 6th place team (which is even high by their past standards).

We can put it right next to our DQ Cup

Wow, Siouxsports must be setting records for mid-summer troll numbers.

As much as I despise all things Minnesota (even those outside of hockey), Xcel is the only place for the Final Five (or whatever it is in the future). It's a great central location (as good as it gets), in a strong hockey fan base, in a very populated region, in a facility that is first-class with plenty of seats. There's no need to change. Not even to Milwaukee. The Pepsi Center would be another comparable alternative to Milwaukee, but that as well would fall well short of what they do in St. Paul. When you have so many teams in/near Minnesota, having the tourney in Minnesota is the only logical money-making location.

That's laugh out loud funny right there...

I wouldn't expect any changes, unless Eids grabs numero uno.

Following the NHL Draft and player's status' isn't one thing I do, but I would have to imagine it will help Rodwell's chances seeing as he's coming here.

It's true! We slaughtered a bunch of people from the U of M in our barn this year...it's nice to finally see accurate reporting on a national TV station.

Nice...always good to have connections at the junior level, so we shouldn't lose anything by losing Blais.