jk

If they advance to St. Louis, I doubt they'd even let him board the plane back to Grand Forks.

I heard a prior commitment to work a hockey camp.

I wouldn't invest too heavily in any reports right now, positive or negative. Last week, two newspapers reported that PK would return next year, then a few days later a Boston paper indicated that it wasn't yet decided. At about the same time, a Wisconsin paper said that Skille was expected to return for his sophomore year, then the next day another newspaper said it was still unclear. This latest note on Toews is encouraging, but it could change with the next day's news. Also, Hockeys Future isn't necessarily the most reliable source. Their source for the Toews comment may well have been INCH's story about Toews.

You don't remember his press conference? (I'm really sorry to have brought that into this.)

Thirty points would be fantastic. If so, then maybe the only guy who can slow Vandy down is Steve Johnson.

With all due respect to Vandevelde, Bayda was considered one of the top forward recruits in the country his freshman year, and many expected a big year from him. The aforementioned 10-12-22 rookie year would probably be the top end of my expectations for Vandevelde this year. The standard caution, that I'd be more than happy to be proven wrong, applies here.

Colin Wilson, who played some youth hockey in Winnipeg, apparently committed to BU. This is from an ROI e-mail: "Boston University aside, word is Colorado College and North Dakota were also heavily in the mix for Wilson, who in the end found Boston to the be the object of his D-I desires. "

http://www.chicagoblackhawks.com/news/news.asp?story_id=3358 "Norfolk head coach Mike Haviland: I really liked [Chris] Porter. I thought he had a good camp. I thought [Jack] Skille had a good camp. Jake Dowell had a good camp ... that whole line was really good with [Adam] Burish and [Nathan] Davis. I really like the future of the Blackhawks with Bolland, Barker, Toews and the other guys who had to leave early. Norfolk assistant coach Ted Dent: Porter was a guy who impressed me. He was tenacious, finished checks. Obviously the guys who left early -- they were impressive at various times throughout the week as well." ------------------ Plus plenty of other mentions of Porter and Toews.

Thrashers Day 5: Kaip

I know I'm a homer and everything, but I don't even accept the premise that UND will be worse in the upcoming year. Sure they lose three of their top six forwards (assuming Toews returns), but what college team doesn't routinely have that turnover? No disrespect to Stafford, Zajac, Spirko, Prpich, Smaby and Parise, who have meant a ton to the program, but college programs march on with a different team every year. I'll take my chances with the group in the Sioux jerseys again this year.

Excerpts of HF posts about the Thrashers' camp from various posters: Day 2: Kaip

I'm surprised Porter is absent from the roster for the Blackhawks camp.

This was in a HF post from an observer at the Edmonton prospect camp. The poster is quite credible, but of course it's just one person's opinion: "#58 Chris Vande Velde: I was not impressed until the final day in the scrimmage. He's one of the youngest guys here so that should be taken into consideration when it comes to size and strength, but he made some superb passes. North Dakota will be rgeat for him, no rush here." I believe Chorney did not attend the camp as he apparently had a prior commitment to work a hockey camp.

Not to buck the trend here (actually I fight the trend every day professionally), but I feel a little bad for PK. If you start with a basic assumption that he's a good kid -- a good place to start with anyone -- then he's had a bit of a rough ride. I wouldn't mind one bit if he really turns it up a notch, as long as it starts in a Bruins jersey. The only thing he's done that got to me was the ear-cup against Wisconsin (very un-hockey like), but he pretty much paid for that one with the trophy skate in Milwaukee anyway. On topic, congrats to all the new Sioux draftees.

Third Period: Koberinski 17:05 4-7 Williams 17:58 5-7 Williams 19:10 6-7 Jensen 19:46 7-7 OT: Kidd 00:50 8-7 Shots on goal in the third period: 34-7 Sioux.

Congratulations to Greene and Commodore for outstanding performances and efforts throughout the playoffs, and of course to Commodore for winning the Cup. Commodore was of course just rock solid; he played a very simple game in the defensive zone, hitting when he could, but not getting out of position to do it. He looked good carrying the puck too. You could easily argue that he was Carolina's best defenseman. Greene's growth from last year, and mainly his growth from the start of the playoffs to the end, has been incredible. He was the most wicked hitter in the finals, and that was as a rookie. Unlike Commie, his hitting was less disciplined, and it showed in his trips to the penalty box and a few adventurous recoveries in his own zone. Where it really mattered, though, in his ability to skate and move the puck out of his zone, he passed with flying colors. I read that his even-strength minutes were third on the team among defensemen in game seven, behind only Pronger and Smith. Thanks to the guys for representing Sioux hockey so well. (Thanks also to Doc Emrick for mentioning UND so warmly, so often.) Edit: While watching UND's big defensemen play the position so well the last few weeks, does anyone doubt that Matt Jones and Matt Smaby will soon be doing the same?

Not everyone follows the superstar career arc. Maybe Bishop will struggle to get into the lineup, or get regular 4th line duty, as a (true) freshman, then progress to larger roles as he grows and matures over his college career. I'm glad they filled this last spot with a young guy with a pretty high upside rather than an older guy who might be able to contribute more this year. Also, having a special attribute like blazing speed often makes a guy a fan favorite.

And here you go, from the same TSN link: 4:00pm et - Phil Kessel struggled with the aerobic testing on the bike. Like Toews, he required a bucket after the VO2 Max test. It was noted by some observers that the college players generally fared worse in the aerobic tests because most have not played since early April. Some junior prospects were still playing in late May or even into June. Kessel was happier with his strength testing.

There's a fair argument either way on the question of whether Oshie and Toews should be on the same line or split up; I'm not sure myself. However, it's safe to say that any line with Oshie on it won't be the "second" line. As I've said before, though, I hope this is an argument we get to have when Fall rolls around.

http://www.gfheraldsiouxhockey.blogspot.com/ The Herald's blog chimes in with a well thought out view of the roster. Their lines: Ryan Duncan--Jonathan Toews--Michael Forney Andrew Kozek--T.J. Oshie--Chris Porter Erik Fabian--Rylan Kaip--Matt Watkins Chris VandeVelde--Darcy Zajac--Brad Miller Depth: Ryan Martens, Scott Foyt Brian Lee--Taylor Chorney Joe Finley--Kyle Radke Zach Jones--Robbie Bina/Chay Genoway Depth: Todd Alexander

Not even the slide-ruler bunnies?

Based simply on the timing and wording of the posts, it appears to me that we'll hear soon of a goalie commitment, probably from Canada.

I've already said it once this spring: I hope we get to have this debate (whether Toews and Oshie should be on the same line). My opinion on it is that they are both not just centers by position, but also the center of attention when they're on the ice. To me, that means they would each be better suited with complimentary linemates, guys like Kozek and Duncan who can clean up and take advantage of the open space. I look at it like this: When Oshie's on one of his ridiculous (!!) and frequent rushes up the ice, Toews doesn't have the puck. I'd rather have Toews out there separately so he can have the puck more. It does shape up to be one heck of a #1 PP unit, though.

TMK, Thanks for the info. I appreciate it. What is the problem with the rest of you? Read it, believe it if you want, wait for a link if you want.

#1Hakfan, Thanks for the info, as always.