redwing77

Rigged I tell you! Rigged! (And it will always be rigged until I win! Yeah, I'm not shy to admit it either!) Thanks for doing this AZ. I may not have won, but it was nice to be involved.

A very good point. This Sioux fan's perspective on the team - This Sioux fan's perspective on people other than him talking or implicating things on "his behalf." SiouxperDave, as good as a guy he may be, does not speak for me. Therefore, the term "Sioux fans" without the "Some" in front of it, doesn't apply. REAL Sioux fans support their team win or lose, blue chip stars or lunch pail role players. That doesn't mean just the jersey. It means everyone who wears it.

True, but if not, then Hak can move Genoway back to D and suit up Forney or Radke.

Beat me to it! Interest too is the fact that his defensive partner also was named to the AHL All Star game. Fancy that, Lee and his partner complimenting each other on the ice... where have we seen that before? I'm very happy that Lee is happy with the "B-Sens." I will be even happier when he makes the NHL. I'm sure the pressure will be great for him, but he'll be used to it. All that time being dragged under the UND bus...

He's pulling a David Toews. Everyone and their mom knows he'll commit to DU but he just won't come out and say it.

Wait a minute. Doesn't he suck? Won't amount to anything? I know! No one else was available. That's it.

Stunned at that. Osgood must have been going over the new fat check he just got from Detroit. In fact, I don't think either team played especially well defensively. As per the Capitols - Jim, I remember seeing them play the Red Wings. I don't think they ALL play with passion, but some of them do. Believe it or not, Ovechkin is one that stands out who I saw played with fire that night. The other was Olaf Kolzig. Admittedly, I saw a Capitals team that didn't have Semin and some of the other talent it currently has, but I just don't understand Washington. They seem to be far more talented than they are playing at.

Read the article on ESPN.com. I thought it laughable when the now former Wild majority owner said that he had a lot of commitment towards winning the Stanley Cup. LAUGHABLE. Let's face it. They are just like the Twins in so many ways roster wise. They are big system-first proponents, which isn't bad, provided you utilize free agency to fill in the holes adequately. When holes exist, they fill them with "whoever." That means signing players who, at one point (or perhaps currently), have the "potential" to be that guy, but haven't shown it yet and perhaps never will. They spend only enough money to show that they are "doing something." The only difference is that the Twins have the excuse of no new stadium. The Wild play in the nicest Arena in the freaking free world. It is the same system that now has Minnesota GMs saying that they can't sign anyone because no one wants to play in Minnesota. Why is that, do you think? Players know, just like fans, when an ownership group wants to put together a team that is either good enough to be competitive or good enough to win it all. Players don't want to play for a team that is JUST competitive. They want to win it all. That's why the Twins can't sign any big names (if Pohlad would approve the spending) and that's more than likely why the Wild can't get those huge names outside of a trade. The Wild are competitive. They are a playoff caliber team. But they won't win a Stanley Cup. Not set up like they are. Is it LeMaire? Don't know. Maybe. Do they have to spend money like Detroit, NY Rangers, or whoever? No. The Twins don't have to spend like the Yankees to do that either. They just have to get one or two guys who are big time talents, damn the system to compliment the guys from the system (like Gaborik for the Wild or Morneau and Mauer for the Twins). Pavol Demitra isn't enough. They need one or two more guys and some solid defensemen.

Miller with Oshie and Duncan? Gosh, I'd rather see Frattin up there again. Oh well. In Hak we trust.

I didn't want to start my own thread but.... For you Sioux trivia buffs, I have a question: When (and who) was the last time a defenseman scored a hat trick for the Sioux (if ever)? I'm just curious.

Wow did I miss a post! I thought ISN had him somewhere in the 20s. Oh well. Anyways, I say Phoenix drafts him 5th overall! Gleason shocks the world and goes #1 overall. Oh crap, it's not April 1st yet.

IIRC, David Toews is the 2nd highest college bound player listed in the rankings for North American skaters. Only Colin Wilson (IIRC) is higher.

He doesn't contribute offensively. As for Smaby and Greene and the penalty box (your previous post that replied to mine), it sure looked like it when Greene and Smaby wore a Sioux jersey at times. Especially with Smaby.

I like the fact that people are calling out one of the most reliable defensive defensemen we've had this season. Why does Finley have such a great +/-? Sure, he's probably out there when the goalscorers are, but that's only half the stat. He isn't on the ice when goals are scored, which means he's not participating in letting the other guys around him. Is he going to get skated by or burned once in a while? I'd expect it. That's what happens when you pit a small forward against a big defenseman. It's how it is. That's why there are pairings and matchups that the coaches try to run. Is Finley the BEST defenseman on the team this season? No. I think Bina has been. But is he not deserving of a starting role on the team? Hell no. He's a DEFENSIVE defenseman. Why is he on the PP? Good question. The only idea I'd have is his size. Perhaps they have a scripted play where he ends up screening the goaltender. But that's really out there. I don't really like our second PP unit anyways. But, yeah, Finley is a great defenseman for the Sioux. The problem is that he's over 6'2' tall, a first round pick, and not as physical as Smaby and Greene. Heck, I don't have the numbers in front of me, but he hasn't even gone to the penalty box as much as those two! I don't know what is with Chorney, but I'm not going to call out players who aren't causing problems. And I'll NEVER call out a defensive defenseman for not really contributing offensively. It's not in their game. However, if I ever change my mind, I'd be tempted to rail JPL for not contributing in at least more assists. I mean, all he does is play defense (goaltending).

How many times are you going to let him raise your hopes?

WHAT?!?! What about our "agreement" regarding ties, AZ!

Vaht?

Somehow I don't think Herb Brooks is an effective coach any longer... I agree, though, in principal. Or better, perhaps we're essentially agreeing on the same thing. My main point was that we're going to have to swallow our pride and simply model our team selection and coaching to mimic Team Canada's. We can't rely upon sheer luck (such as M-A Fleury's beautiful pass/goal) to win us the gold every year.

Sometimes I wish the Sioux did a little of #1. Especially when we are down a goal in the third period.

I like your optimism but here are a few points: 1. The Sioux have yet to sweep a two game series against the same opponent. The closest they've got was a win and tie against different opponents (BC/Northeastern). 2. MTU isn't a joke anymore. They may not have as much depth as we do on paper, but they have dynamic goaltending and good defense. They seem to be able to capitalize on mistakes fairly consistently. MSU,M and UAA are teams we should pound. MTU, on the other hand, I'd just like to beat. MEg- You're asking to be slapped? Too bad I most likely won't be there this weekend. I'd love to see the aftermath.

I don't think a freshman can qualify for this award. Though progression is a great thing to see and can be darn near vital (see VV last March). However, improvement is something seen over a longer period of time than the first half of a season. I think Trupp is laying the foundation for what he'll be compared to (good or bad) for the remainder of his college eligibility. That being said, I still say Kozek is most improved.

THough I agree with the swastika thing, your statement regarding the NCAA and us isn't entirely correct. We're temporarily off the hostile and abusive list for the period of three years. It becomes permanent provided we can find at least one Sioux tribe to sign a formal document supporting our use of the nickname in a time period of 3 years. There's a difference.

VV is a great choice. His game has gradually improved more and more. However, I have to say Kozek then Watkins. Kozek's physical presence has been there since he came to Grand Forks, but this is the first season where he's truly started contributing offensively really. Watkins is a close second.

I mentioned him a while back. He's Penticton (BCHL)'s goaltender. Among the BCHL league leaders in goaltending stats. Brought his name up as a possible recruit for next year. Wasn't claiming inside info or that Hakstol and Crew even know who he is, but anyways...

I'm starting to wonder if Eidsness' stats in the AJHL is going to build up a hype that he may not be able to live up to (at least his freshman year). Grieco came in highly lauded and he got nothing from the fans. He lost two bad games and was then written off. I wonder what it will be like after Eidsness loses a game while in a Sioux uniform...especially if it happens against a team that some posters feel are "patsies."