SiouxScore

I feel like the Vikings draft was better this year than last. Coming into the draft I had about 5ish guys I was hoping for in round 1. Originally it was Devon Witherspoon but he shot up the boards around combine time and that was dead. The dream was Jaxon Smith-Njigba and that actually got close but the rest of the list was Joey Porter Jr, Jordan Addison, Zay Flowers, Quentin Johnston, and Deonte Banks. I probably would have took Porter just because their CB room concerns me but Addison was right there with him for me. I would have preferred other DBs than the two they got and didn't like trading down from their first 4th today. Clark Phillips, Kelee Ringo, Terrell Smith, Jammie Robinson were all higher on my list. Would have liked to bring in a guard and LB somewhere. Would have probably went elsewhere with RB as well just because the fumbling issues scare me with McBride but if they can figure that out he could definitely be a steal. Round 1, Pick 23: USC WR Jordan Addison Round 3, Pick 102: USC CB Mekhi Blackmon Round 4, Pick 134: LSU S/CB Jay Ward Round 5, Pick 141: LSU DT Jaquelin Roy Round 5, Pick 164: BYU QB Jaren Hall Round 7, Pick 222: UAB RB DeWayne McBride

Man they've had some ugly loses this year and gets added to the list, let it slip away

Think Evanson has bought into the only problem the last game was the reffing and while it was the big problem that doesn't mean you can't adjust anything. Seems like a real stubborn guy to me. Zuccarello has sucked for about a month outside of a game here or there how about moving him down and Nyquist up with Kaprizov? Dallas pressures hard high on the PP maybe work the PP down low instead of trying to force through it? And whoever has the PK has been atrocious in the last 2 playoffs. Agree I would have went back with Gus game 2 but will not be surprised if Fleury gets game 6 Friday, Gus has been pretty shaky handling anything these last 2 games.

My god losing a series to the Washington Nationals I think they would be a team that would be a 2 and BBQ in the NCAA Tournament this season. What is that like 6 of last 7 Ls now?

I really don't care if Miami or Western Michigan for that matter leave but I wouldn't be a huge fan of adding Arizona State either. I know they have a big name but if 2 are leaving I'd rather replace them more regionally with Mankato and then one of St. Thomas, Augustana, or Bemidji or if you wanted to expand I guess you could add all 4. I like staying as more of a regional conference.

I watched Warroad 10 times this winter and Pilgrim was the better player all around in 7 of those games. Shaugabay is an absolute wizard with the puck and has some of the best vision on the ice I can recall but Pilgrim is more of a pure scorer, better skater, and more active on the board battles. Not saying Shaugabay isn't a great player too because I'd love to have both of them. Marvin-Cordes is one I'm watching close as well.

Lets Go! Carson Pilgrim has committed to UND according to his instagram!

Perron is a playmaker kinda like Blake, think he would be perfect with Gaber or Berg who are 2 shooters

Really like the Pehrson addition. Right now I think I'd lean on splitting the two seniors/grads. Something like Livanavage/Wiebe-Pehrson, Pyke-Zmolek. Something like: Gaber-McLaughlin-Blake James-Berg-Perron Kunz-Schmaltz-Emerson Johannes-Jamernik-Strinden EX-Ness Livanavage-Pehrson Pyke-Zmolek Benoit-Wiebe Persson Hedquist Scratch-Albrecht, Montgomery, Komzak

Some rumblings that Eiserman could be coming in for them too but not sure how solid the source is. If Close goes I wonder if they end up with Haider.

Thought Zmolek was a good possibility just from the podcast last week and he definitely fits a lot of our needs.

So would be UND, Denver, Omaha, and St. Thomas. Add Duluth, St. Cloud, Mankato, and CC as affiliates I'd be good with it. I'm not a huge Arizona State fan but if you wanted a big name too could add them and Bemidji to get to 10 or maybe the summit adds Augustana as a full member.

I remember watching Johannes back at Eden Prairie and I really liked him then. Obviously really struggled in juniors for a while and then really in college before last year. Can't remember who he was originally committed to maybe CC? He moves pretty decent for his size and will definitely play with an edge.

He was a given just like Faber, Lacombe, and Johnson are all likely gone. The actual decisions are Cooley, Koster, Brodzinski, and Nelson. I guess Close to but his is just about playing the extra year or not. Snuggerud has already said he will be back for them.

Think that is wishful thinking

Rarely does any team have a D group like that. Looking at their roster/recruiting they will still certainly be a problem. They should lose Faber, Lacombe, and Johnson but I'd think they'll still have plenty of talent back there Koster, Chesley, Mittelstadt, and Thomas who was highly recruited could be back. Rinzel who I think was a first rounder last summer will come in as well. Also had Staudacher redshirt this year so he will provide a veteran presence. Forward group will still have a ton of talent. If I were them I'd try to add Haider and solidify the goaltending.

Psst take a look at their recruiting classes, we may not like it but they aren't going anywhere. Personally I think the rivalry is more fun when both programs are elite now we have to get back to that level.

I'd love it but Berry and staff got a lot of work to do to make that happen. Gotta get to work recruiting the portal and for the future bringing in the type of talent Minnesota, Michigan, Denver do and they haven't shown much consistency in doing that. Also have to be willing to adapt his style and I'm not sure he has the willingness to do that.

Motzko got outcoached bigtime, as much as I hate Pecknold he pushed the right buttons. The decision to go away from your strength of playing with speed/skill and attacking and instead playing a defensive shell and lean on the weakpoint of your team the goaltender because you are scared to make a mistake was some kind of decision, especially when you haven't played that style all year.

I'm telling you don't bet too much on Cooley. Maybe it happens but it is much more 50/50 at best than everyone assumes. Especially with the loss tonight I'd be more surprised if Cooley decides to sign than if he comes back to Minnesota.

Who does everyone have for the winner? I'm taking the section 8 kid and Huglen to win it for Minnesota.

Haha I agree with give them both the 2 or give them both nothing, the 5 part of this has to be a joke right?

Haven't seen Minnesota play that style all year so weird to go to it in the biggest game and it cost them Said all year I wasn't sure on Close and he gives up the incredibly weak one to tie it Not sure on that penalty on Cooley agree with the ref closest to the play there, but Gopher fans should be more upset with the no call on I think it was Nevers coming out of the corner who got hooked on the hands and couldn't get a full ice clear like 30 seconds before the goal

Most of that D group, but listening to Motzko on KFAN yesterday Snuggerud sounded like a sure thing back and he was very optimistic on Cooley as well. They are gonna reload with the recruit group they have waiting as well.

I really don't like Pecknold and the rest of my family is Gopher fans so I'm fine with what I think will happen actually happening and that is Minnesota winning. To me when watching these teams if both teams bring their best I see a 5-2/5-3 Minnesota win. The only worry I would have if I was the Gophers would be I still wouldn't really trust Close. Minnesota has the skill to play the up and down game, size to play along the boards, and one of the best D groups I can remember the only real question is goaltending.