as15

I know most people think that we will see Gleason back at D this year, but TBH, I think he might be more valuable as a checking line forward. He is extremely gritty, tenacious, and fast, along with having solid skill. I think Panzarella is more than good enough to be a 3rd pairing defensive defenseman in this league, now the question is how to get the most talent on the ice at once. The answer, which you alluded to, is moving Gleason up to forward once again. If Hakstol doesn't stack the first line (Grimaldi-Knight-Kristo) whoever is playing LW on that line is going to be extremely lucky, it wouldn't be bad to put a freshman with them, help accelerate their transition a bit.

Former Civil Engineering student here who graduated last fall. I attended NDSU for my first year, and UND for my last 3. I initially transferred to UND solely because of the DEDP (Distance Engineering Degree Program) classes that were offered. It basically offers all engineering classes online, the lectures are taped and you watch them at your convenience. Doing this allowed me to take 12-15 credits on campus, as well as another 3-6 online which I did mostly on weekends. I did this so I could have a full class load, but still basically work full time. If I would've stayed at NDSU I could have never done this, scheduling 21 on-campus credits and working a full time job just wouldn't have been possible there. If I could've done it all over again, I would have never stepped foot at NDSU, I just liked everything about UND so much better. UND is a larger school, but I rarely had a class that was over 30 students, at NDSU I would have quite a few lectures of 100+, even one that was 400+, not very much fun, those are the kinds of classes that would have been better to take online.

Haha mostly LW, but in Junior I know he played mostly center.

Up until last year, Brock Nelson was a natural centerman as well, I'm just saying look how well having the 3 best forwards on the team worked last year, and this year we should have depth the entire year, rather than waiting until the freshmen get acclimated.

Here's my try Grimaldi-Knight-Kristo Another deadly top line, only issue is all 3 are right handed shots MacMillan-Rowney-Parks Too much success/chemistry a year ago for them not to start out this way Caggiula-O'Donnell-Rodwell Could be a break out year for both O'Donnell and Rodwell, I have high hopes for Caggiula as a freshman Chyzyk-Pattyn-St. Clair Good energy line, I think Caggiula and Chyzyk are interchangeable here, Pattyn and St. Clair will provide hard working, honest play.

I really think Caggiula and Chyzyk will be guys that come in and play right away. If you look at Chyzyk's stats from his year in the USHL, they are better than Michael Parks', he probably won't get as large of a role as Parks did, but its not out of the realm of the possibility. How many player's come into the WCHA as true freshman (there first year out of high school)? Not many, Caggiula is doing that, so obviously the coaches think he will be able to contribute this year, otherwise there is no reason to bring him in. I really think he will come in and have a solid year and end up getting drafted as an overager. Schmaltz will be playing every night, but he will probably get protected minutes at least to begin with. I expect him to be QBing the powerplay from day 1 though.

Hopefully he will be in the lineup enough this year to use it.

I remember reading that he had almost hit 190 at the Montreal Prospect camp back in June/July, not sure how try it is but nonetheless surprising to see him listed at under 170.

Looks like Pattyn and Parks, among others, really hit the gym this summer. Hopefully Parks stayed just as fast, he could have a big year, possibly approaching 20 goals

I also read it as Dell doesn't feel he is "abandoning" his team because he has two more than capable goalies to replace him.

It did say that in the article, but I think USA hockey was implying that money must have been given somewhere because the facilities are obviously better at UND, and I'm not sure who they have coaching at Portland, but it is pretty hard to beat having your position be coached by an ex-NHL defenseman coach.

Even if JT would have played for the Sioux, and Rocco was healthy, I still think LaLeggia wins WCHA ROY. A 38 point year from a freshman defenseman is much more rare/impressive than a 45-50 point year from a freshman forward, which are the highest point totals you could've realistically expected from either player.

In other words, engineers.

I think the team's will be very even, if you compare the top few lines for each team I think the Sioux come out ahead. Grimaldi-Knight-Kristo vs. Rau-Bjugstad-Budish, I would say Bjugstad is the best of those 6 with the 3 Sioux player's followed closely after. MacMillan-Rowney-Parks vs. Warning-Haula-Condon Haula is without a doubt the best player here but I see big jumps from MacMillan and Parks and Rowney should hit around 40 points this year. I would take UND's second line as well. Schmaltz-Forbort vs. Schmidt-Alt, give the nod to the Gophers, but Forbort is the best of these 4 Mattson-MacWilliam vs. Marshall-Helgeson, I would take Mattson over Marshall and MacWilliam over Helgeson Gleason-Simpson vs. Skjei-Holl, Holl has underachieved so far, but Skjei has enormous potential at D. All in all I think the Sioux have more depth at forward while the Gopher's have more at D, it should be a very fun year with both teams being very good. I just hope they can avoid each other in the NCAA tournament until the Frozen Four, because I expect both will be good enough to be there.

Frattin is a very smooth, powerful skater, but he doesn't have the top end speed/acceleration or agility for me to classify him as an "excellent" skater. I would say he is about an average skater in the NHL, maybe slightly above.

Better skating, less physically dominant Matt Frattin?

McCoshen is the type of player you make room for, and just by glancing at Wisconsin's committed recruits page, he would easily be their biggest d-man recruit. McCoshen is from Wisconsin, and Wisconsin has been recruiting him heavily from the start but for whatever reason he doesn't want to go to school there. No offense to UMD or UNO, but we have to be the favorite in this recruiting battle, especially now since we have arguably the best college d-man coach out there.

I'm calling it right now, Caggiula is going to be drafted next year as an overager after a solid freshman year for UND.

Paul LaDue just picked by the LA Kings with the last pick in the 6th round. Drafted as an over-ager.

McDonald, Shattenkirk, Cole...I'm sure there are a few others.

I absolutely agree with that, I just don't know who comes out of that lineup in order for him to be inserted.

The better question is who would Rodwell replace? The only one I would say he is "better" than is Lamoureux, but he was a senior captain.

I would say the game-plan that day was extremely effective. The team just picked the most important game of the year to forget how to score a goal.

I think it is really odd that he is almost set on leaving UND even thought he hasn't had any offers. I wonder if he really does feel that Gothberg will beat him out next year, I really didn't think so but who knows what he has been told. Even though some people think that he isn't the greatest goalie, he is a former All-American and has had a very successful NCAA career, I would love for him to come back for his senior year and anchor an already very good team.

I don't think there is anyway he leaves for anything less than an AHL job.