brianvf

I doubt there is much secrecy within the team. I would guess that Hakstol knows for the most part what Oshie/Finley/Chorney/Duncan/Kozek's decisions will be.

Despite his older age, I think that Bruneteau is the least likely of those 4 to come in next season. He barely played after his concussion, and didn't put up much for numbers when he did play. I could see him playing another year of juniors and joining the team in 2009. For sure I think that Gregoire and Toews come in. Those two won't be here for four seasons anyway, so we'll want to utilize their services while we can. To make roster spots available for some of these talented youngsters, I think that we could see some surprises with a couple returning forwards (unless we lose all Oshie, Duncan, Kozek, etc). Hakstol could make some moves with Davidson or Forney...

What would TJ Oshie do if he were here right now? He would kick an ars or two, that's what TJ Oshie would do.

Yeah, must have been looking at the ISS rankings. Either way, I can't wait to see both him and Gregoire in green next fall. They both sound like very special players.

He was ranked #71 in the complete mid-term rankings, so he only dropped 8 spots. In both rankings, he has been projected as a 3rd round draft pick.

Has Ryan Potulny played much/at all in the NHL since leaving early? An early departure from this year, Teslak from MTU, was the winning goalie in this game.

I would think that Cichy will come in regardless of who leaves. Same with Toews, Gregoire, Hextall, Lamoureux, Eidsness, and Blood. The players that would more depend on who leaves or who is more ready would be Gleason, Finehage, MacWilliam, and Bruneteau. Bruneteau was slated to come in for 2008, but has struggled to get back in the lineup after his concussion, so I wouldn't be surprised to see him play another year in the USHL.

That's alright, that's what Toews, Gregoire, and Hextall are supposed to do as freshmen.

Good question. Here's his take on it: http://mckeenshockey.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=784013 And here's some mention about his commitment to UND: Sounds like Halifax was really pushing him hard to go the QMJHL route, even after his commitment to UND.

He got a 6th year medical hardship waiver. Thanks NCAA!

Hopefully he feels the same way about accelerating into the NHL from the collegiate ranks.

Agreed. After another year of improvement, he will be ready to step into the Sioux lineup and contribute immediately. He is still very young. I would guess that he will stay at UND for at least 2-3 seasons, even if he gets drafted high.

Vees are up 2-0 after 1 period. Penticton scored 2 goals in 6 seconds. Hextall scored one of them.

Why, how much do you weigh?

He'll have more than 8g/6a before xmas time next year, turd burglar.

Duncan still had 40 points this year home slice. That's a pretty darn successful season in my book. Sure, he didn't reach his previous years total of 57 points, but he still had a great year (despite other teams focusing on him more). I think Kozek can do the same thing next year chief. And if teams choose to focus on Kozek next year, they'll just be leaving guys like Duncan, VV, Trupp, Lil Toews, Gregoire, Hextall, Genoway, Watkins, etc open. That's fine by me...he'll have less goals, but just a ton more assists.

Posted on the Sioux blog: An article about him too: http://www.edmontonsun.com/Sports/Hockey/2...331126-sun.html

I think the league is going to disband, and all the teams will either fold, or join Hockey East.

Not to burst your bubble with facts, but Kozek had 12 of his 18 goals before he was ever even placed on the line with Oshie and Duncan. Kozek will do just fine next year if he chooses to come back. I would venture to say that his point total will go up to the 30-45 point range. How's that, Chief?

I think they have Notre Dame and Michigan too high. Not to take anything away from Notre Dame's great run to the title game this past year, but I don't see them doing that again next year. They are a hard-working team, but there are more talented teams out there. And if the talented teams work hard as well, they should beat them (like BC showed). Michigan is a really young team with some great up-and-coming players, but they are losing 120 points from their two senior leaders in Porter and Kolarik. That's a lot of points to make up. Not to mention that Sauer has proven to be a bit like Lammy and JPar...save his worst game of the season for the NCAA playoffs. I could see a few of their freshmen from this year experiencing some sophomore slumps next year without Porter and Kolarik's 63 goals.

I wonder when the UAA away series is. That is one roadtrip that I would love to make.

Davidson departs and Oshie stays?

We can hope that Hakstol was right when he said that he thought only 1-3 players would leave early.

PCM's Coaches Show Recap: Season Finale http://boardsroom.blogspot.com/2008/04/sea...ux-coaches.html