2022-23 University of North Dakota Hockey Season

[Green Banner]

Is it October yet?

[Oxbow6]

Judd is bottom 6 to start the year.

I'd be shocked if Blake and James are not impactful right away. 

I'd like to see Senden centering 4th line with Albrecht and Portz.

[tnt]

21 minutes ago, Oxbow6 said:

Judd is bottom 6 to start the year.

I'd be shocked if Blake and James are not impactful right away. 

I'd like to see Senden centering 4th line with Albrecht and Portz.

I would be quite surprised if Judd is bottom six.  Transition includes defensive responsibility as well as offensive, so I think the coaches are more apt to go with the experience unless the freshmen transition fast on both ends of the ice.

[siouxforce19]

2 minutes ago, tnt said:

I would be quite surprised if Judd is bottom six.  Transition includes defensive responsibility as well as offensive, so I think the coaches are more apt to go with the experience unless the freshmen transition fast on both ends of the ice.

Judd also disappears from a production standpoint for really long stretches at a time every season. I know he is valuable in other ways but for a team that has struggled scoring I don’t think he’s pencilled in for top 6 at all. Gaber is literally the only guy who played top 6 last year that should have their top 6 spot secured. The other spots should be up for grabs. 

[SiouxForever]

Did James do ok in the Canada WJ Camp? I didn’t expect him to make the team, but good experience seeing/playing with those caliber of players. 

Anyone have some twitter updates?

[brianvf]

14 minutes ago, SiouxForever said:

Did James do ok in the Canada WJ Camp? I didn’t expect him to make the team, but good experience seeing/playing with those caliber of players. 

Anyone have some twitter updates?

I was wondering that as well after seeing that he made their camp.

[siouxforce19]

18 minutes ago, SiouxForever said:

Did James do ok in the Canada WJ Camp? I didn’t expect him to make the team, but good experience seeing/playing with those caliber of players. 

Anyone have some twitter updates?

I’ve been looking but most of the write ups I’ve seen so far don’t cover all player evals. 

[Green Banner]

Caufield needs to be consistent and more aggressive, needs to use his size 

[SiouxScore]

Top line was easy for me but other than that it seemed harder than most years. Tried to balance mixing some experience with freshmen while also factoring in the type of player. Lots of options and seems like there should be solid balance 2-4. Wouldn't be surprised to see Jamernik start with a top 6 role to begin the season either.

Gaber-Schmaltz-Blake

Hain-Costantini-McLaughlin

James-Jamernik-Caulfield

Kunz-Senden-Portz

Albrecht-Ness-Montgomery-Strinden

Kleven-Frisch

Jandric-Farmer

Moore-Johnson

Bast-Sidorski

Hellsten/DeRidder

Johnson

 

[hockeytherapy13]

1 hour ago, siouxforce19 said:

Judd also disappears from a production standpoint for really long stretches at a time every season. I know he is valuable in other ways but for a team that has struggled scoring I don’t think he’s pencilled in for top 6 at all. Gaber is literally the only guy who played top 6 last year that should have their top 6 spot secured. The other spots should be up for grabs. 

Agreed. He's a very responsible player defensively and would be good on a shutdown line that could provide some threat to score. The only reason he was top 6 last year was because we lost so much from the year prior and didn't have enough skill guys for top 6 roles. Like you said, Gaber is the only true top 6 talent we had offensively, although I think Costantini was a pleasant surprise who should also end up as a top-6 guy this year. Interested to see if Costantini  sticks with wing or plays center like he was originally recruited to play. 

[hockeytherapy13]

2 hours ago, Oxbow6 said:

Judd is bottom 6 to start the year.

I'd be shocked if Blake and James are not impactful right away. 

I'd like to see Senden centering 4th line with Albrecht and Portz.

I liked Albrecht's progression a lot but I think we will see Kunz over Albrecht this year due to Kunz having a higher ceiling. Although that Portz-Ness-Albrecht line was great defensively toward the end of the season last year. Senden plays center well positionally but his faceoff numbers are brutal so I'm wondering if he end up playing wing more often?

4 hours ago, BusinessSoot said:

Frisch and Kleven's assist numbers were brutal, regardless of what up front help perception was. For as much pp time for Frisch and to only have 6 helpers is puzzling. He is a solid defender (hopefully he never gets walked like he did vs ND again), but his ability to run a pp and move the puck quickly not in his wheelhouse. 

The d core improvement rests with the ability for each player to mature. (can't have a guy spear an opponent after a goal as a selfish example), and all have to commit to playing d first/offense second. Going to be really interesting to see whom the third pair is and how they accept their roles. Moore and Johnson don't strike me as d first guys, and could be the third pair this upcoming year. Bast more a of a d first guy for a third pair.

My opinion is  keep Kleven (+16) and Jandric (+10)  together. Played well together.

'21-22' Dmen assist totals:

Sanderson 18, Jandric 14,  Moore 7, Frisch 6, Ferner 4, Bast 4, Kleven 3, Johnson 1 

Also, Albrecht has to be in line up every night. Need the energy and grit.

Kleven and Frisch are going to be a top D pairing in the NCAA next year defensively. And together neither has to play on their off-wing. I know Kleven can play the right side well like he did last year but our D pairings match up perfectly with 4 lefties and 4 righties

 

All considered, I think this UND team is going to be one of the best defensive teams in the NCHC and if the freshman contribute early on, we are looking to be a top-8 team nationally since we have an older team with proven goaltending in DeRidder. Going to be a fun season since we will have more offensive firepower coming in. 

[Wilbur]

People.....people.....

Hain-Jammer-Sendo

That's the Tweet.  

[siouxfaninseattle]

7 minutes ago, Wilbur said:

People.....people.....

Hain-Jammer-Sendo

That's the Tweet.  

Gotta be!

[hockeytherapy13]

https://buffalonews.com/sports/sabres/matteo-costantini-looks-to-apply-lessons-learned-at-sabres-development-camp-with-und/article_e5f9a982-1293-11ed-a209-632eb5520ef2.html#tracking-source=home-top-story
 

 

[UNDPUCKS]

Thanks for posting that Buffalo link.

 

[The Sicatoka]

Well, if we're doing the random guess the lines thing ... my theory is always "getter-setter-shooter", but start with centers. And when I say getter-setter-shooter no player is 100% any one of those, they all have a little of each but are better at some things than other. 

So, centers: Jamernik, Schmaltz, Costantini, McLaughlin, Ness.
Yes, I put Matteo back to his natural center. Compared to a year ago that's an embarrassment of riches at center (because Senden can play it also). 

Now start surrounding them (and what they are) with what they are not, meaning ...

• Jam with Senden and Hain (Senden gets, Jam sets, and I hear Hain likes to shoot ...) 
• Schmaltz (setter) with Gaber (shooter) and Caulfield (decent getter)
• Costantini with James and Portz <-- lots of speed in that group 
• McLaughlin with Blake and Kunz <-- not a fan of two freshmen on a line, not at start of season 
• Ness with Albrecht and Stinden/Mongomery <-- last year's third/fourth line this year's fifth?

Probably won't see those right away. True freshmen at center in October is not common. There are going to be battles for ice. 

My biggest concern: Jam and Schmaltz need to get even better at draws. 

[hockeytherapy13]

1 hour ago, The Sicatoka said:

Well, if we're doing the random guess the lines thing ... my theory is always "getter-setter-shooter", but start with centers. And when I say getter-setter-shooter no player is 100% any one of those, they all have a little of each but are better at some things than other. 

So, centers: Jamernik, Schmaltz, Costantini, McLaughlin, Ness.
Yes, I put Matteo back to his natural center. Compared to a year ago that's an embarrassment of riches at center (because Senden can play it also). 

Now start surrounding them (and what they are) with what they are not, meaning ...

• Jam with Senden and Hain (Senden gets, Jam sets, and I hear Hain likes to shoot ...) 
• Schmaltz (setter) with Gaber (shooter) and Caulfield (decent getter)
• Costantini with James and Portz <-- lots of speed in that group 
• McLaughlin with Blake and Kunz <-- not a fan of two freshmen on a line, not at start of season 
• Ness with Albrecht and Stinden/Mongomery <-- last year's third/fourth line this year's fifth?

Probably won't see those right away. True freshmen at center in October is not common. There are going to be battles for ice. 

My biggest concern: Jam and Schmaltz need to get even better at draws. 

This is going to be a season where we never have to cringe or be worried about a certain line or defensive pairing on the ice. Especially once the freshmen get acclimated to the college game. Having so many new and young players last year that got plenty ice time is going to pay dividends for us this year. I know little about Sidorski but when we have a guy like bast as our 7th defenseman, and guys like Ness, albrecht, or even strinden as the  first forwards out of the lineup, things aren’t too shabby. 

[siouxczech29]

4 hours ago, The Sicatoka said:

Well, if we're doing the random guess the lines thing ... my theory is always "getter-setter-shooter", but start with centers. And when I say getter-setter-shooter no player is 100% any one of those, they all have a little of each but are better at some things than other. 

So, centers: Jamernik, Schmaltz, Costantini, McLaughlin, Ness.
Yes, I put Matteo back to his natural center. Compared to a year ago that's an embarrassment of riches at center (because Senden can play it also). 

Now start surrounding them (and what they are) with what they are not, meaning ...

• Jam with Senden and Hain (Senden gets, Jam sets, and I hear Hain likes to shoot ...) 
• Schmaltz (setter) with Gaber (shooter) and Caulfield (decent getter)
• Costantini with James and Portz <-- lots of speed in that group 
• McLaughlin with Blake and Kunz <-- not a fan of two freshmen on a line, not at start of season 
• Ness with Albrecht and Stinden/Mongomery <-- last year's third/fourth line this year's fifth?

Probably won't see those right away. True freshmen at center in October is not common. There are going to be battles for ice. 

My biggest concern: Jam and Schmaltz need to get even better at draws. 

Costantini w/ James and Portz is interesting. I never put this together but it could be good.

[siouxfaninseattle]

5 hours ago, The Sicatoka said:

Well, if we're doing the random guess the lines thing ... my theory is always "getter-setter-shooter", but start with centers. And when I say getter-setter-shooter no player is 100% any one of those, they all have a little of each but are better at some things than other. 

So, centers: Jamernik, Schmaltz, Costantini, McLaughlin, Ness.
Yes, I put Matteo back to his natural center. Compared to a year ago that's an embarrassment of riches at center (because Senden can play it also). 

Now start surrounding them (and what they are) with what they are not, meaning ...

• Jam with Senden and Hain (Senden gets, Jam sets, and I hear Hain likes to shoot ...) 
• Schmaltz (setter) with Gaber (shooter) and Caulfield (decent getter)
• Costantini with James and Portz <-- lots of speed in that group 
• McLaughlin with Blake and Kunz <-- not a fan of two freshmen on a line, not at start of season 
• Ness with Albrecht and Stinden/Mongomery <-- last year's third/fourth line this year's fifth?

Probably won't see those right away. True freshmen at center in October is not common. There are going to be battles for ice. 

My biggest concern: Jam and Schmaltz need to get even better at draws. 

I like those lines. Maybe swap Costantini and Caufield (although I don't remember if one shoots left and the other right). I'm also concerned about draws. It seemed like a weakness last season, at least for Jamernik and Schmaltz. The team was .556 for draws, which isn't bad. The last time the team was around .500 was '15/'16 at .502. That year turned out OK.

[burd]

7 hours ago, siouxfaninseattle said:

I like those lines. Maybe swap Costantini and Caufield (although I don't remember if one shoots left and the other right). I'm also concerned about draws. It seemed like a weakness last season, at least for Jamernik and Schmaltz. The team was .556 for draws, which isn't bad. The last time the team was around .500 was '15/'16 at .502. That year turned out OK.

Really helps, though, to have a draw specialist who can also score for crunch time situations.  

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

9 hours ago, siouxfaninseattle said:

I like those lines. Maybe swap Costantini and Caufield (although I don't remember if one shoots left and the other right). I'm also concerned about draws. It seemed like a weakness last season, at least for Jamernik and Schmaltz. The team was .556 for draws, which isn't bad. The last time the team was around .500 was '15/'16 at .502. That year turned out OK.

That team didn't need to grind on draws.  They could let the other team work their butts off and just go pick their pocket.

[petey23]

1 hour ago, InHeavenThereIsNoBeer said:

That team didn't need to grind on draws.  They could let the other team work their butts off and just go pick their pocket.

Yep. If we lost the draw, Nick Schmaltz would just chase them down, lift the stick, take the puck and go the other direction with it...only saw that happen 6-7 times a game.

[Kevin G]

3 hours ago, InHeavenThereIsNoBeer said:

That team didn't need to grind on draws.  They could let the other team work their butts off and just go pick their pocket.

Agreed, though one could argue that without a key faceoff win in the national semifinal game, that team may not have made it to the title game. 

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

On 8/5/2022 at 11:38 AM, Kevin G said:

Agreed, though one could argue that without a key faceoff win in the national semifinal game, that team may not have made it to the title game. 

Probably the only draw they grinded on all year 

[stoneySIOUX]

Facetime bay bay:

https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/matt-greene-ed-belfour-to-return-for-one-more-shift-during-2022-23-und-season

I love these. Two more legends added to the fun.