SiouxScore

I agree and kind of expect him to play a year of juniors I just think if he comes in that he will get a good shoot at that top 6 spot.

Haula is a much more complete player and can easily move between lines 2,3,&4 and I don't think that Rocco can do that. Haula has made an even quicker jump to being a consistent NHL player than I ever thought he would but I think a lot of that is because of his hockey IQ and ability to play well in the defensive zone. Haula and Rocco probably aren't a real great comparison when looking at players either unless you are just looking at speed. Rocco may have more skill but that skill hasn't translated into as much production as it probably should have and IMO the big thing he has to do if he wants to get a shot to play in the NHL is convert on more of the chances he creates.

If they decide to bring Gersich in he would be the guy I would guess to get a pretty good shot at that top 6 spot.

The way I see the forwards with the current roster is something like: Chyzk/OD-MacMillan-Parks Caggiula-Schmaltz-Johnson Pattyn-Gaarder-Olson Chyzk/OD-Simonson-St.Clair Murphy, Sanderson, F/D Panzarella

That would be counting Sanderson correct? I think it really just depends on the type of role they see open. If it is a top 6 type then I would think it would be Gersich as long as he is on schedule because I believe he was excelling his schooling. If it is more of a bottom 6 grind type role I think you could see something like you said or you could see them adding an older USHL type player.

Agree and get what you're saying with everyone watching him when he got the puck and really a buzz whenever he picked the puck up but he wasn't really anything like Oshie was in college. Oshie was a much better and more physical player and played well in every zone as well as being able to finish the chances he created himself.

You need both and that is what he has for the most part in recruits he already has committed too.

It is an interesting situation right now we probably sit at 14 forwards but it could be 15 if you can't Panzarella. I think they will go one of two ways depending on what they think the team for next season needs. If they believe they need a highly skilled guy I see Gersich coming in but if they feel Gersich needs another year of development and doesn't really fit the role they think they need to fill I could see them adding an older USHL guy or something like that

I agree it is very hard for me to see him making the NHL anytime soon. I liked watching him play but I honestly don't think him leaving is really that big of loss. It never really seemed like he found the right fit here and I think a big part of that is because he can be kind of hard to play with because he is all over the place and not always were he is supposed to be. Even though I think he shoulda stayed another year and I don't think he was ready I still wish him the best of luck and hope he can someday crack an NHL lineup.

Will be interesting to see who Yeo decides to replace Cooke with for game 4 Friday as he is eligible to return. There was some speculation earlier today that it may be Moulson and that could be a reason why Moulson was moved down to the 3rd line tonight.

Is this the part where I'm supposed to say you're ridiculous and all that stuff? Not near the same situation on any of the goals really and the playoff history of Crawford and Bryzgalov might just be a bit different.

Played well in the spring but was buried on the DL depth chart and there are a lot of guys who can play well in the spring but never get on the field in the fall. Supposedly the coaches just told him it wasn't the right fit and they did need to open a few scholarships up I think but you never really know if there was more to it behind closed doors. The dropdown should be good for him and I would think he would have a chance to contribute right away.

Wild are 0-22 on the PP in the last 2 playoff series against the Hawks, chance to really take control of this one if they can finally cash in here.

Great finish by Haula to give the Wild a 1-0 lead. Him and Nino have been the best players for the Wild this series and it really isn't even close.

Suter back out for the 1st shift of the 3rd.

That wasn't a missed call broadcasters even said it was a good no call as the guy was just trying to jump around Stoner and they collided. Kind of expecting a real good 3rd out of Koivu as he was real angry after he was highsticked in the face and it drew blood and he usually plays much better angry. Suter looked to get hurt when him and Hossa both fell to the ice late in the 2nd and if he can't come back and misses extended time I'd say the series is pretty much over. Hawks really do a great job of taking away lanes and making it tough for the Wild to get the puck to the net.

Big missed hook/slash call on Keith to take away a breakaway a chance from Haula that shoulda resulted in a penalty shot. If you are gonna call the weak slash by Heatley you have to call that on Keith. I also see the that the Wild made the move to sit Prosser after 2 real bad games and have Ballard in tonight who hasn't played in 2 months. I like the move by Yeo to switch Nino and Moulson around too.

They also mentioned on the sports last night that if a player signs a tender he must play in 55% of a teams games or something like that. The Force must not of had to give up their 1st round draft pick to tender Yon though as they took Kyle Sylvester of Warroad with their 1st round pick.

The Minnesota '98 class looks to have some pretty good potential. Of the 124 picks in the USHL Phase 1 draft tonight I believe 21 high school/bantam players from Minnesota were selected along with 5 more from Shattuck and 1 player from MN had already been tendered before the draft. Another name that was drafted that caught my eye was Cole Thompson who is Keaton's brother but it seemed a little strange it listed his school as The Hockey Academy but I believe he played in Devils Lake this year.

Crosby gets his 1st goal of this postseason to give the Pens a 1-0 lead.

A USHL phase 1 draft preview including a number of potential future recruits from OverTheBoards. http://overtheboards.net/ushl-phase-1-draft-1998s/

Mitchell Mattson selected 9th overall by Bloomington in the USHL phase 1 draft.

Not sure if the rosters are completely accurate with which players are actually playing games in the playoffs but according to http://stats.nhlnumbers.com/teams Pittsburgh has the highest of the remaining teams followed by Montreal, Chicago, Boston, Anaheim, Minnesota, New York, and LA.

Crawford has become consistently good and shows up pretty big when it counts especially the last 2 seasons.

That is kind of what I'm trying to say OK from Bryz isn't gonna be good enough against the Hawks most nights and that is what it really comes down to. Looking forward to see how the Wild perform coming home as I would think the Hawks will be much better acclimated to playing in an atmosphere like The X than the Avs were and I wouldn't expect a repeat of games 3 and 4 of that series. The Hawks have done a good job on the top players for the Wild both last year and so far this year in the playoffs so it will be interesting to see if they can find the scoresheet in game 3. Important for the Wild to have a good 1st period since they haven't in the first 2 games and it would be huge for the Wild to score first.