2023-24 University of North Dakota Hockey Season

[brianvf]

Forward

If Gaber and Caulfield opt to return, UND's forward group could be elite next season.

If they don't, the Fighting Hawks will be very young but skilled.

Jackson Blake is the most dynamic player in the NCHC and UND is adding another player who plays very similar in Jayden Perron of the United States Hockey League's Chicago Steel.

Perron might not have Blake's tenacity in the corners and hard areas, but the Winnipeg native has an elite skill level, can create his own space, is an excellent setup man and an underrated finisher.

Some of UND's other young players are due for progressions, including NHL draft picks Dylan James, Owen McLaughlin, Ben Strinden and Jackson Kunz.

UND has one other forward recruit who is guaranteed to come in — 6-foot-1 winger Michael Emerson of the Chicago Steel. Emerson plays a direct game and goes to the net every chance he gets. He's been a big scorer in the USHL this season. He's third in goals (29) and sixth in points (56). Most of his goals come from the top of the paint.

One area UND will be lacking, especially if Caulfield leaves, is size and strength. With the departures of Senden and Hain, UND is losing a lot of physicality up front. Those two played a lot of UND's toughest minutes in recent years.

This is where UND could look to add a player out of the transfer portal — a big, strong veteran to complement the younger, smaller skill guys like Blake, McLaughlin and Perron. If that player can play center, it would be ideal.

[siouxforce19]

There’s been a lot of discussion about the portal for a defenseman and goaltender, but I actually was wondering about a forward. Like if they could find another Connor Ford type who could win draws. I thought that area couldn’t use some improvement. 

[SIOUXELEVENS]

So what will that say to recuits if we have nhl draft picks enter the portal, not a job look. 

[brianvf]

I agree with Schloss that our forward group has the chance to be elite next season.  It will be a deep and talented group.
My only HOPE is that Berry lets them play in a more wide-open system.  We'll have the ability to play and BEAT teams next season playing a more run-n-gun style.
Will it mean that we'll also allow more goals...of course, but we probably will anyway with a new goalie and almost entirely new and young d-corps.

I was never a "hater" of Senden and Hain like some on this group, but I do agree that they gobbled up valuable minutes and had a slower, more grinding style of play.
I think we're a stronger team next year, especially on the front end.

We'll have the depth to have almost 3 scoring lines and one grinding/shut-down line.
Berry just needs to utilize them effectively rather than give the shut-down line the majority of the minutes.

[The Sicatoka]

Schloss-math at defense has my antenna up:

"UND will need to supplement the (five) freshmen with at least one older transfer. If Frisch signs, it will probably need two." 

He sees 5 + 1 if Frisch stays.
He sees 5 + 2 if Frisch goes.

Five freshmen would replace: 2 3 6 7 25. 

If Frisch stays we'd still need a portal? That means 4 or 24 leaves or they plan on running 9D next year.
If Frisch goes we'd still two portals? That means 15 and either 4 or 24 leaves or they plan on running 9D next year.
 

[The Sicatoka]

  On 3/18/2023 at 7:57 PM, brianvf said:

We'll have the depth to have almost 3 scoring lines and one grinding/shut-down line.

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This is the direction the game is going; adapt or perish. 

[The Sicatoka]

  On 3/18/2023 at 7:49 PM, SIOUXELEVENS said:

So what will that say to recuits if we have nhl draft picks enter the portal, not a job look. 

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Oh my, imagine a 2021 round 2 (#58 overall) by Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick going portal and leaving! 

Wait, he went from Minnesota to Denver last summer: Tristan Broz

Take a breath. 

[nodakgirl93]

  On 3/18/2023 at 7:49 PM, SIOUXELEVENS said:

So what will that say to recuits if we have nhl draft picks enter the portal, not a job look. 

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I guess they are not team first as Berry claims. But seriously they need to do what they think is best for them. 

[Kevin G]

  On 3/18/2023 at 7:57 PM, brianvf said:

I agree with Schloss that our forward group has the chance to be elite next season.  It will be a deep and talented group.
My only HOPE is that Berry lets them play in a more wide-open system.  We'll have the ability to play and BEAT teams next season playing a more run-n-gun style.
Will it mean that we'll also allow more goals...of course, but we probably will anyway with a new goalie and almost entirely new and young d-corps.

I was never a "hater" of Senden and Hain like some on this group, but I do agree that they gobbled up valuable minutes and had a slower, more grinding style of play.
I think we're a stronger team next year, especially on the front end.

We'll have the depth to have almost 3 scoring lines and one grinding/shut-down line.
Berry just needs to utilize them effectively rather than give the shut-down line the majority of the minutes.

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Excellent, excellent summary. 

"My only HOPE is that Berry let's them play in a more wide-open system." That is the million-dollar question. Or will Berry employ 11-27-13 as his top, minutes-eating line.

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

  On 3/18/2023 at 6:36 PM, Frozen4sioux said:

Gaber, I can't see anything more than a few token months in the Coast.

Just doesn't have anywhere near enough of the tools to be successful in the American let alone the National.

Best bet, come back, try and be a superstar, and catch some fire and hype and maybe play teams against each other till some team tosses him a NHL game to sign after the season next year... 

That's his only hope of pro hockey.

 

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Gucci, Adams, and even Mismash should be talking to him about what to expect. He could probably make more from NIL auto commercials than he will in the coast.

[Frozen4sioux]

  On 3/18/2023 at 8:37 PM, AlphaMikeFoxtrot said:

Gucci, Adams, and even Mismash should be talking to him about what to expect. He could probably make more from NIL auto commercials than he will in the coast.

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Exactly. 

[Wilbur]

  On 3/18/2023 at 8:37 PM, AlphaMikeFoxtrot said:

Gucci, Adams, and even Mismash should be talking to him about what to expect. He could probably make more from NIL auto commercials than he will in the coast.

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This is exactly it.  Bless his heart and the #MGFC, but he's not going to play in the NHL.  Ryan Duncan, a guy who won a pretty big award made a career of it in Europe.  Probably the path for Gaber after he leaves. 

[Oxbow6]

The fact that 21 played one game in that last month is ridiculous....and I won't even get started on 18. Skill wins games. This team will be better by addition by subtraction next year. 

[Oxbow6]

Loyalty in today's market gets you a nice pen and/or a wall plaque. Winners get sprinkles.

[Oxbow6]

13 and 22 on the same line down the stretch? Really??

[Green Banner]

  On 3/18/2023 at 8:45 PM, Frozen4sioux said:

Exactly. 

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When will the big shots in GF start throwing money at these guys?

[brianvf]

  On 3/18/2023 at 9:08 PM, Oxbow6 said:

13 and 22 on the same line down the stretch? Really??

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22 needs to be Top 6, absolutely. 

[Blackheart]

  On 3/18/2023 at 8:14 PM, Kevin G said:

Excellent, excellent summary. 

"My only HOPE is that Berry let's them play in a more wide-open system." That is the million-dollar question. Or will Berry employ 11-27-13 as his top, minutes-eating line.

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B-Rad needs to up his Rizz next year!  Gotta have game.

[Benny Baker]

  On 3/18/2023 at 7:49 PM, SIOUXELEVENS said:

So what will that say to recuits if we have nhl draft picks enter the portal, not a job look. 

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I agree it’s not the result I want, and it’s already happened with Blaisdell. 

But FWIW, Chris Wilkie, Wade Murphy, and Mike Cichy all transferred out of UND when you still had to sit a season.

Brett Bruneteau transferred, but I believe he had graduated.

[petey23]

  On 3/18/2023 at 4:15 AM, SiouxScore said:

Probably within a week, get signed and get to burn a year of the entry contract.

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I predict he will make his debut either this coming Thursday or the following Thursday.

[petey23]

  On 3/18/2023 at 8:01 PM, The Sicatoka said:

Oh my, imagine a 2021 round 2 (#58 overall) by Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick going portal and leaving! 

Wait, he went from Minnesota to Denver last summer: Tristan Broz

Take a breath. 

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Again, many on this board are over valuing draft status. Other than 1st or 2nd rounders the odds of playing in NHL for those drafted later is about the same as those who are undrafted free agents. 

[jk]

  On 3/18/2023 at 11:45 PM, Benny Baker said:

I agree it’s not the result I want, and it’s already happened with Blaisdell. 

But FWIW, Chris Wilkie, Wade Murphy, and Mike Cichy all transferred out of UND when you still had to sit a season.

Brett Bruneteau transferred, but I believe he had graduated.

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Blaisdell had 4 points in 32 games this year for UNH.  Often guys who leave were not playing for a reason.

[Hawkster]

Anyone else feel totally lost tonight?  Saturday night and no UND hockey.   I think I'm first realizing the season is over for the year.  It sure bothers me a lot more tonight than it did last night.   I think it's going to be a long off season until football.  Sucks.

[dden3]

  On 3/19/2023 at 12:48 AM, Hawkster said:

Anyone else feel totally lost tonight?  Saturday night and no UND hockey.   I think I'm first realizing the season is over for the year.  It sure bothers me a lot more tonight than it did last night.   I think it's going to be a long off season until football.  Sucks.

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I hear this. I’ve been lost all day. 

[scpa0305]

  On 3/18/2023 at 4:37 PM, SiouxFanSince1990 said:

Albrecht was one of our best forwards the past few months. You need guy that will give you 100% every shift.

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You mean he works really hard…I wouldn’t say he was one of our best Fs. Fs need to be productive, he really isn’t whatsoever.