hockeytherapy13 Posted August 3 Posted August 3 10 hours ago, Oxbow6 said: Someone explain to me why Swanson Reschney Zellers isn't the obvious way to go for a top line... I still think those 3 on the same line is a fair hope because they are going to be the best 3 forwards we have from a combo of playmaking and scoring. But with the size issue, it’s likely not happening for a month or 3. Sounds like Reschny plays bigger than he is so if they all prove themselves to handle the heaviness early on, it would be a really fun line to watch Quote
hockeytherapy13 Posted August 3 Posted August 3 On 8/1/2025 at 6:27 PM, brianvf said: James-Reschny-Menghini Swanson-Rickwood-Zellers Strinden-Littler-Zakreski Croal-Kernan-Klee Ex - Young, Andrew The lower lines are a bit tougher with all the freshmen...I'm guessing they'll want to avoid an all-frosh line for the first half of the season at least. Something tells me that some bottom 6 guys like Croal and Zakreski are going to sneak up on teams this season. Croal was a pt/game guy his last USHL season and is a buzz saw. Zakreski was top 10 in goals (technically tied 7th) this regular season in the WHL and seems to be a guy that is the definition of a UND hockey player as he’s skilled with a ruthlessness in his game. Add Kernan to the conversation being #5 in reg season goals in the USHL. Obviously their roles won’t be too scoring roles (at least not early on) but other 3rd and 4th lines in the NCHC will likely be outmatched. 1 Quote
hockeytherapy13 Posted August 3 Posted August 3 12 hours ago, scpa0305 said: I say this in the nicest way possible…menghini is not really a top line player…and I’m not entirely sure James has the offensive IQ to play with Reschny. To get the most out of Reschny, he’ll need to play with highly offensive/creative players. Agreed. I’m still not sold on us having a solid top 6 yet; maybe more like a top 4/5 with Rickwood, Reschny, Zellers, James and hopefully Swanson As stated by others, James isn’t a high offensive player by nature. But he’s our highest returning goal scorer and fastest skater so he’s bound for the top 6 with this group. Quote
Oxbow6 Posted August 3 Posted August 3 10 hours ago, Sioux90 said: Size and weight. Seriously? I was hoping this mentality left when BB did. I don't have enough fingers and toes to count the times I watched an opponent's fast/small skilled lines skate circles around UND's big/heavy lines weekend after weekend the past few years. 2 1 Quote
Sioux90 Posted August 3 Posted August 3 3 hours ago, Oxbow6 said: I was hoping this mentality left when BB did. I don't have enough fingers and toes to count the times I watched an opponent's fast/small skilled lines skate circles around UND's big/heavy lines weekend after weekend the past few years. Whatever floats your boat, mate. 1 Quote
Sioux90 Posted August 3 Posted August 3 10 hours ago, hockeytherapy13 said: Agreed. I’m still not sold on us having a solid top 6 yet; maybe more like a top 4/5 with Rickwood, Reschny, Zellers, James and hopefully Swanson As stated by others, James isn’t a high offensive player by nature. But he’s our highest returning goal scorer and fastest skater so he’s bound for the top 6 with this group. You need a balance in a lineup. All of this could change depending on who gets that last spot. Quote
scpa0305 Posted August 3 Posted August 3 11 hours ago, hockeytherapy13 said: Agreed. I’m still not sold on us having a solid top 6 yet; maybe more like a top 4/5 with Rickwood, Reschny, Zellers, James and hopefully Swanson As stated by others, James isn’t a high offensive player by nature. But he’s our highest returning goal scorer and fastest skater so he’s bound for the top 6 with this group. He’s top 6 for sure. And I’m fine with him playing with Reschny, but Menghini and James with Reschny? Looking at stats doesn’t tell a complete picture of a player….but it tells you something over a period of time. James and Mengini’s numbers don’t scream “hi offensive IQ”. Their assist totals over the years are extremely underwhelming. Even high end shooters get more apples than that. They’re both high energy players that chip in ES goals due to their work ethic. 1 Quote
hockeytherapy13 Posted August 3 Posted August 3 6 hours ago, Oxbow6 said: I was hoping this mentality left when BB did. I don't have enough fingers and toes to count the times I watched an opponent's fast/small skilled lines skate circles around UND's big/heavy lines weekend after weekend the past few years. I think everyone is on the same page as you to get a skilled scoring line with each other as soon as possible. But I don’t see a problem with throwing James, the fastest skater, good puck retriever, and defensively intelligent player with a couple younger guys until we know they won’t screw the pooch when the puck isn’t on their sticks in their own D zone. Also Swanson needs to show that he can get more shots on goal than EJ haha Quote
iramurphy Posted August 3 Posted August 3 On 8/2/2025 at 12:07 PM, Oxbow6 said: Someone explain to me why Swanson Reschney Zellers isn't the obvious way to go for a top line... On paper, that would be a great option. Maybe a little early for that decision. I would guess coaches are still evaluating which lines are developing a chemistry with each other, which guys have the ability to make teammates better and what combos give this team the best chance to win. Quote
AlphaMikeFoxtrot Posted August 4 Posted August 4 Peters only projects Emery to make the team for WJC. Zellers hopefully plays his way in as a local kid. https://www.flohockey.tv/articles/14449430-team-usa-projected-roster-for-world-juniors-2026-after-summer-showcase Quote
scpa0305 Posted August 4 Posted August 4 12 hours ago, AlphaMikeFoxtrot said: Peters only projects Emery to make the team for WJC. Zellers hopefully plays his way in as a local kid. https://www.flohockey.tv/articles/14449430-team-usa-projected-roster-for-world-juniors-2026-after-summer-showcase And Heil 1 Quote
scpa0305 Posted August 4 Posted August 4 21 hours ago, iramurphy said: On paper, that would be a great option. Maybe a little early for that decision. I would guess coaches are still evaluating which lines are developing a chemistry with each other, which guys have the ability to make teammates better and what combos give this team the best chance to win. It could work…but from what I gathered this past week/last year, either Zellers nor Swanson are overly hard on pucks. Meaning the can’t steal pucks. They are possession guys. And actually, I’m not overly sure Zellers is a traditional possession guy now that I’m thinking about it. He floats a bit (waiting for stretch passes) and he’s super good at getting open in the ozone. 1 Quote
VC Sioux Fan Posted August 5 Posted August 5 5 minutes ago, sioux rube said: Honestly would be surprised if Boisvert doesn't make the final cut here. Wouldn't be one bit disappointed if he doesn't make it, however. 3 1 Quote
nascar99 Posted August 5 Posted August 5 6 minutes ago, sioux rube said: The States is so weak in net in the 2006 & 2007 birthyears that Caleb Heil, a 19 year old still playing junior, might make the team and play games. 2 Quote
Esoteric Posted August 6 Posted August 6 On 8/2/2025 at 8:46 PM, hockeytherapy13 said: Agreed. I’m still not sold on us having a solid top 6 yet; maybe more like a top 4/5 with Rickwood, Reschny, Zellers, James and hopefully Swanson As stated by others, James isn’t a high offensive player by nature. But he’s our highest returning goal scorer and fastest skater so he’s bound for the top 6 with this group. Well we will have a better idea of lines a few weeks after the season starts. Need Swanson will his passing ability to play with people that can finish. 3 1 Quote
Esoteric Posted August 7 Posted August 7 On 8/3/2025 at 7:43 PM, AlphaMikeFoxtrot said: Peters only projects Emery to make the team for WJC. Zellers hopefully plays his way in as a local kid. https://www.flohockey.tv/articles/14449430-team-usa-projected-roster-for-world-juniors-2026-after-summer-showcase 🤯 1 Quote
Sweethockey Posted August 8 Posted August 8 Tickets for the Champions club went on sale yesterday (Thursday). They have both ends blocked off for the students. I sure hope we can get the students down there. Quote
Popular Post brianvf Posted August 8 Popular Post Posted August 8 Roster is set! D-Corps is stacked. Goalies look solid. Forwards (15): SR - Strinden, James, Rickwood, Young JR - Menghini SO - Swanson, Littler, Croal, Andrew FR - Zellers, Klee, Zakreski, Kernan, Reschny, Josephson Defense (8): JR - Zmolek, Livanavage, Wiebe SO - Emery, Strathmann, Jubenvill FR - Laurila, Verhoeff Goalies (3): SR - Sandy (RS possibility) JR - Homer FR - Spunar 2 4 Quote
beastandco Posted August 9 Posted August 9 1 hour ago, brianvf said: Roster is set! D-Corps is stacked. Goalies look solid. Forwards (15): SR - Strinden, James, Rickwood, Young JR - Menghini SO - Swanson, Littler, Croal, Andrew FR - Zellers, Klee, Zakreski, Kernan, Reschny, Josephson Defense (8): JR - Zmolek, Livanavage, Wiebe SO - Emery, Strathmann, Jubenvill FR - Laurila, Verhoeff Goalies (3): SR - Sandy (RS possibility) JR - Homer FR - Spunar James - Reschny - Zellers Swanson - Rickwood - Littler Menghini - Josephson - Strinden Croal - Kernan - Young Livanavage - Verhoeff Wiebe - Emery Strathmann - Zmolek Homer Spunar 1 Quote
scpa0305 Posted August 9 Posted August 9 34 minutes ago, beastandco said: James - Reschny - Zellers Swanson - Rickwood - Littler Menghini - Josephson - Strinden Croal - Kernan - Young Livanavage - Verhoeff Wiebe - Emery Strathmann - Zmolek Homer Spunar Laurila will play as a 7th D (I could see him working himself up too)….Zakreski and Klee will play over Young. 1 Quote
Und Princess Posted August 9 Posted August 9 37 minutes ago, beastandco said: James - Reschny - Zellers Swanson - Rickwood - Littler Menghini - Josephson - Strinden Croal - Kernan - Young Livanavage - Verhoeff Wiebe - Emery Strathmann - Zmolek Homer Spunar I like the line chart!!! Quote
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