as15

I might be in the minority here, but after this past season, I can't see MacMillan-Rowney-Parks being split up, they were just too good down the stretch. Here is my lineup, based on the fact that Hakstol stated he really likes Grimaldi at center. I know the first line is a stretch. Chyzyk-Knight-Kristo Knight and Kristo need no explanation. Chyzyk can ride the two vets to a very successful rookie year. Solid two-way play and a good goal-scorer. Think a lesser skilled Jason Gregoire. MacMillan-Rowney-Parks Very good line down the stretch last year. Expect all to be slightly under a point-per-game pace. Parks and Rowney could hit 20 goals. O'Donnell-Grimaldi-Koules Grimaldi could be this teams best player. O'Donnell was impressive in the few games he played. Hopefully Koules can rediscover the success that made him such a high-end recruit a year and a half ago. Fourth Line Combination of Caggiula, Rodwell, St. Clair, Pattyn, Gaarder and possibly Gleason.

I have heard that as well, I am not sure if his skating is great though. That might be his biggest weakness. I think he will be a big surprise for us next year. I don't really like comparing stats, but comparing Parks' best year in the USHL to Chyzyk's current year, Bryn has better stats. I didn't expect Parks to be such a contributor this past year, that is why I am optimistic that Chyzyk will put up 15-25 points as a freshman.

Haha, I saw that post on GPL as well.

Me too. Too many fans just like at stats to determine a players worth. Don't get me wrong Nelson had a fantastic year and I wish he would've stayed for his Junior year, but the fans that watch the Sioux consistently know who the best/most effective player on the team was this year and that was Danny Kristo. With that being said, if Nelson would have improved as much this offseason as he did last offseason, I think he would have been our best player next year.

This is why I think Caggiula will be successful. I don't know if he is "good" defensively in the sense that Darcy Zajac was, but he is very effective in the way that T.J. Oshie was, with this I mean being tenacious and putting pressure on in the defensive zone, not necessarily the best positionally but effective nonetheless. He is also pretty physical for a forward as well as being a good skater, so at very worst he should be an effective checker, but as you also stated he might be unable to switch to that role like Cichy.

Even though it is not 100% sure that he is coming in, I think Caggiula will be our best freshman forward next year. I am treating Grimaldi as a sophomore even thought he will be a freshman eligibility wise.

With Erik Johnson's declining play, and unless Goligoski or Leddy get drastically better defensively, I don't see any of those player's on the 2014 Olympic Team. I think guys like Kevin Shattenkirk, Jack Johnson, Ryan Suter, Ryan Whitney, Keith Yandle, Ryan McDonagh, Matt Carle, Brooks Orpik, Tyler Myers, Dustin Byfuglien, John Carlson, and Tim Gleason will all be top contender's for spots as well as guys like Rob Scuderi, Cam Fowler, Matt Niskanen, Jake Gardiner, John-Michael Liles, Zach Bogosian, Justin Faulk and Jamie McBain if they progress. If I had to pick 7 right now it would be: Ryan Suter, Keith Yandle, Ryan McDonagh, John Carlson, Jack Johnson, Kevin Shattenkirk, and one of Ryan Whitney, Brooks Orpik, Dustin Byfuglien or Tyler Myers as the 7th.

Unbelievable news, he was the player I thought was 100% gone. It is a huge boost to have our best player back for one more year.

I know it is weird to read that but here are the US defenseman from the 2010 Olympics, I included alternates as well. Rafalski, Suter, Martin, Komisarek, E. Johnson, Orpik, J. Johnson, Whitney, Gleason, Niskanen, Hainsey, Goligoski, Carle, Scuderi. As you can see, not a great list. The only absolute lock I see is Ryan Suter and Keith Yandle, who was not even named an alternate last time. If Jones keeps progressing he could make the team. Toews was 20, and on Team Canada which was even more impressive but a generational talent? I don't think so. The only player in the league that someday might be considered a generational talent is Sidney Crosby, but he isn't there yet.

I agree with you. When Nick Schmaltz and Brendan Lemieux initially turned down the NTDP, I was happy solely because of the reason you stated, but it also scares me because by playing in the USHL instead of the NTDP they are allowed to jump to the OHL if wanted without violating their NTDP contract.

To be fair to Koules, everything I have heard/read has him saying that he is firm in his commitment to UND. The controversy here is that his WHL rights were traded to the team that his dad had played for, therefore making people think he was going there. I really think he is coming to UND in the fall. Most of our recruits have been drafted into the CHL, Koules' situation got the most attention because he plays for a high-profile program that has a history of player's backing out on their college commitments.

Possibly, but after seeing Koules play in person and Caggiula from that video, Caggiula brings much more to the table, plus from what I have heard he is pretty physical. Koules seems to have gone downhill as a prospect so it wouldn't be that big of a loss if he decided to go the Major Junior route.

With both of these guys coming in the fall, I'm thinking Kristo is as good as gone. I can see Sanderson coming in to add depth but I think Caggiula can be a real contributor, so I would expect he is coming in because their is room for him in the lineup. Hopefully I am wrong and Kristo is staying, Hakstol just wanting to avoid the injury situation of last year and bringing in some extra bodies.

Looks like Coltyn Sanderson just committed. Anyone know anything about him? http://twitter.com/#...ColtynSanderson Here are some of his stats, looks like he plays for Weyburn in the SJHL. Maybe a recruited walk-on. Has good size though. www.leaguestat.com/sjhl/sjhl/en/stats/player.php?id=242 Looks like he is coming in this fall, hopefully this isn't a response to an upcoming early departure (Kristo).

If this is indeed true and Seth is going the WHL route, which I am assuming, then I wish him the best of luck. Also, I would like to thank him about how he handled this whole process. Instead of committing to UND and using it as leverage he carefully weighed his options over a long period of time. To all future recruits, the way Seth Jones handled his situation is the way all of you should. Weigh your options and make your decision when you are 100% sure about it. I would like to thank him for his interest in UND and I fully expect to be cheering him on for Team USA at the 2014 Olympics, and no that is not a typo, I really do believe he will be on the US Olympic team at age 19.

I think that is what "conditional" means, if Portland is unable to sign Jones, then Everett gets nothing in return. Remember right now this is just a trade to "talk" to Jones, Portland still has to acquire his rights from Everett in order to sign him.

Forbort, Mattson, MacWilliam, Simpson, and Gleason are all proven contributors. He would have to beat out Schmaltz next year which I don't see happening, as well as Panzarella who played in almost every game this year. LaDue will probably be a 4 year player, there is no reason for him to come to UND next year to ride the bench when he still has Junior eligibility left.

That's what I though as well. The only way I can see him coming next year is if someone unexpectedly leaves or if Jordan Schmaltz bolts for the OHL. Neither of which I can see happening.

Scouts understand how hard it is for a freshman to play in the NCAA, especially a d-man. It doesn't matter where he plays next year, he will be an extremely high draft pick and ultimately an NHL player. The only person I can compare his situation to is Erik Johnson's, except that Johnson played in the NCAA at 18 whereas Jones would play at 17. Johnson put up 24 points his freshman year at Minnesota, not exactly lighting the world on fire but nonetheless extremely good numbers for a freshman defenseman. If Jones could put up those numbers while playing dominant defense, he will be a Top-2 pick next year.

http://slightlychilled.areavoices.com/ Has a some good information about Fargo's and Lincoln's connections to UND. One interesting note is that the writer stated that Paul LaDue would be coming in next year. I don't see a reason for him to come in next year. He will be extremely hard pressed for playing time. Better to go back to Lincoln for one more year and possibly be the favorite for Defenseman of the Year in the USHL.

No, but why not apply for a redshirt anyway? There is really no detriment to doing it.

Just like Toews, Parise etc, Seth Jones could play in China and still be an extremely good player. It doesn't matter if he comes here or goes to Everett, he will make it to the NHL. It just comes down to where he wants to spend a year of his life, which is essentially his last year of non-professional life.

It would be an absolute waste of money. They would be lucky to get 5000 fans per game.

I would be very surprised if the NCHC didn't rotate their conference tournament location with the Xcel Center, it is very easy to get to (large airport) and will sell more tickets than anywhere else. The other question is where will the tournament be the other two years? REA would be nice, and would sell out as well but are the other team's willing to give UND home ice advantage in exchange for essentially, a guaranteed sellout?

Normally I think fighting has a place in hockey, just to hold people accountable for dirty hits and to protect skill players from goons. Like you said, these playoffs are throwing all of my justification for fighting out the window. It seems to be doing nothing. I thought the suspensions would help, but those don't seem to be doing any good either. Player's just need to have respect for one another, bottom line.