yzerman19

This is both UND and non-UND. Nice to get the props deserved for these two... https://www.nhl.com/video/nhl-tonight-college-hockey/t-278910374/c-44557703

Sorta off topic, but in reading about the Vesey sweepstakes I came across a statistical translation factor from prior league to the NHL. Interesting. NCHC is highest of all college leagues at 0.41. Meaning you multiply the players points per game in the NCHC by 0.41 to predict their scoring at the NHL level. There is significant variance, and there is selection bias, as this is only players who go directly to the NHL from the other league. Clearly only excellent players go straight from college to the NHL. There are also other intangibles, and the age of the player's last year also plays a factor. Also, clearly collegiate players who are going to the NHL likely spent significant time on the PP at the college level, racking up points, and there chances at an NHL PP role are not guaranteed. Its a big regression analysis with lots of variables, but this is what they use: http://www.hockeyabstract.com/thoughts/updatedtranslationfactors Using this math, Brock Boeser for instance who is a teenager still, is most likely to hit the number. He would be predicted to be at 48 points in the NHL level.

You mean that team from Grand Forks was tied for the youngest in the nation...younger than a "young" Minnesota team...can't be so- for the record, that link shows UND at 21.1

Jost is a more touted freshman coming in than Schmaltz was. Based on where he played and what he's done, at minimum I expect a Travis Zajac type first season

Both Boeser and Pogo are right handed shots. You aren't going to play one on their off wing on a regular, even strength shift. They are both too good at their position. I also agree that you don't split up the chemistry established by Gardner and Pogo as 2/3 of the heavy line. The first and second lines are essentially set on C and RW IMO. Gersich certainly should play LW on one of the top 2 lines.

He plays an NHL scorer game, but his skill is just barely below that. KHL might be a good fit for him.

The Gophers are an elite college hockey program. To say anything else is ignorant or throwing kerosine on the green colored glasses. its fun to hate them, but we hate them, because they are our equal. Eye of the Tiger. Steel on steel. Best rivalry in college hockey because both programs get it done. We have braggin rights now...

I have zero concerns about this team's ability to put the puck in the net. The question marks for me are the dcorps and the supporting leadership outside Ausmus. Jewels and Dewey and Stech were big time leaders on the ice.

I prefer the Paul Kariya analog thank you very much : )

I thought if you were CHL eligible and your rights were held by a CHL team that you had to go there vs the AHL

He has to go to the CHL rather than the AHL based on his age.

PP1: Pogo, Jost, Boeser, T. Poolman, Ausmus- Pogo net front presence, Jost playmaker, Boeser finisher low, Poolman howitzer high, Ausmus safety valve PP2: Gersich, Gardner, Wilkie, Wolanin, Shaw- Gardner net front presence, Gersich playmaker, Wilkie finisher low, Wolanin howitzer high, Shaw safety valve

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.