yzerman19

I am pretty sure that puts them both on their off-wing...I do expect a good year out of Wilkie. He's just stuck behind Boeser and Pogo on that right side.

So here's what I've got up front then Scoring 1: Gersich, Jost, Boeser Scoring 2: JJ, Gardner, Pogo Scoring 3: Hoff, Simo, Wilkie Checking/Energy: Yon, Bowen, Olson On D, the big question mark is whether or not you load up Ausmus and T.Poolman together as the top pairing or if you split them up in order to protect the freshmen D.

Congrats Mitchell Mattson! Calgary 5th round

Congrats Rhett Gardner! 4th Round Dallas

All that said, Nick does seem to lack some explosiveness...the kind that separates at the next level...I hope he is able to find that next gear. To me, Nick is the kid with all the skill and ability, but might not have won the genetic lottery.

Nick's two-way play and puck pursuit will be tough to replace. I am pretty certain that Jost will bring same or better offensive capability- hopefully he develops chemistry with Boeser quickly. Would've been unreal to have Nick back, but a kid has a dream, and he likely got a rookie max. Hard to say no; especially if Chi is telling him he has a legit shot at 3rd line in the NHL if he performs in camp. Sadly for UND, Nick's great development related to two-way and puck pursuit is likely what let him sign. Right now, Chi sees a guy with 2nd line upside who is not a liability in the bottom six.

I wish him all the best at the next level....I hope he earns an NHL spot. Really great part of one of our greatest teams

Brad- nice off-season piece on Jost. I did want to call out an oversight: You missed Brian Lee in your top drafted players list...he also went 9th overall in 2005

I agree with your assessment with one add- I don't think Nick rides the bus between the AHL and the NHL, I think he gets a cup of coffee in the NHL and then spends the year in the A. Again- TJ Oshie was a similar prospect, and by playing at UND one more year, he found himself on a second line in the NHL his first year pro. Same deal for Nick me thinks.

Sidney Crosby getting the Conn Smythe ahead of Matt Murray is a joke. Pure Bettman. Sidney did not score in the finals and was a minus overall in the playoffs; in fact, he had a worse playoff Pts/Gm and +/- than...Eric Haula of the long-ago eliminated Wild. He was tied for 19th on his team in +/-, tied for 3rd on his team in goals, 2nd in assists, 2nd in points. He was not the difference maker for Pitt...it was Murray and the team shot-blocking...which you could extrapolate was part of Sidney's leadership, but that's a stretch.

In terms of talent level, you are absolutely correct. However, it is difficult to make comparisons on entire teams and how they would stack up. UND's top d-pairing last year could hold there own in the AHL... I completely agree that top CHL teams' top lines would be among (if not the) best in NCAA. Basically, the best lines in top NCAA and top CHL programs are loaded with guys who have a 50/50 shot or better of playing in the NHL. Would London's top guys have full rides and be lighting up the NCAA (same with Brandon and Seattle- I watch WHL), yep. Would Boeser, Schmaltz and Jewels or the Michigan line or the Pacific Rim line light up teams in the CHL, yep.

I don't disagree with you. I think of the two best NHL prospects that UND has had in the last 15 years: Parise and Toews. Both had major advisors, and both were sure fire first rounders. They both had skill and compete coming out their ears...what they needed was time to build mens' bodies and prepare.

The bigger deal with getting paid in the CHL is signing your NHL contract at 18 and collecting your signing bonus. I watched a lot of WHL this year, and its great hockey. No doubt about it. The CHL usually draws the most gifted offensive talent, and they can display it in the style of game that is more like that played in the NHL.

Didn't team USA finish dead last in the Eastern Conference of the USHL? Is that not the NTDP? This is not a knock. The team is under 18 and is focused on development rather than winning games. This is not a debate on which league or teams have the most talent...the original question was about where to develop, the debate has turned into who has the best team. I do not think the NTDP would compete with the elites of the CHL which have over 18ers, many of whom have already signed pro deals...

London would beat NTDP. OHL is stronger than USHL. UND would beat any junior team, just based on age, strength, and experience of players. I believe the following. Elite NCAA teams > Elite CHL teams > Elite USHL teams > Elite Canadian Junior A teams

Reading the mock drafts...3 freshies and 1 Soph at BU projected to go in the first round...wow...that's some big expectations

That top 9 looks about right. Defense pairings will be a big ? I don't know which dmen think the game alike in the d zone and can complement each other

If my son becomes elite (he's five) so lots of time- although he does get mad everytime he doesn't score a hattrick vs 7/8 year olds- I will advise to play in the BCHL or USHL and go NCAA.

So there is a lot of debate on this. I watch a ton of both NCAA and WHL hockey. What is the right choice given the options and benefits on the table and where should an elite prospect go? Pro NCAA: Develop at a pace that allows your physical body to match your hockey skill. Develop vs men. Earn a college degree in process that will be hard, but will set you up for a life after hockey. Co-eds. Co-eds. Co-eds. Solid path to NHL if you've got it. Pro CHL: Play an NHL type schedule and game. Get $ for college after hockey is done via CHL scholarship. Not have to do homework. Be a local hero and destroy local talent. Showcase your skill. Still the most likely path to NHL. Get your signing bonuses the minute offered and put them in the bank.

At what age and at what development level does it make sense to commit and show up.

I really hope that Osh is talking to Nick...3 years at UND = the Show...2 years at UND = the AHL, unless you are Jonathan Toews...

That would be a long wait...no way the Hawks move Kane I presume you're joking

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=9478 Drop the mic

I don't think "magic numbers" to get into classes are tough to come by for big time D1 athletes...