Prospective Recruits

[beastandco]

3 minutes ago, brianvf said:

I like both Jubenvill and Strathmann's games...if both came back for their JR seasons, I could a real progression from both of them.
Plus increased playing time if Liv/Wiebe both depart.

There is also a short list of uncommitted CHL players that would take ice time from Strathmann or Laurila next season. They were both really good players in the USHL and 2-3 years older than the draft eligible CHL guys. That’s not even mentioning taking ice time from Ethan MacKenzie, who has been one of the best defensemen in the CHL this year. 

[tnt]

17 minutes ago, brianvf said:

I like both Jubenvill and Strathmann's games...if both came back for their JR seasons, I could a real progression from both of them.
Plus increased playing time if Liv/Wiebe both depart.

Strathmann is 3rd on the team in +/-,  behind Strinden and Croal, so he seems more focused on his defense so far.

[Fratt Mattin]

11 minutes ago, beastandco said:

There is also a short list of uncommitted CHL players that would take ice time from Strathmann or Laurila next season. They were both really good players in the USHL and 2-3 years older than the draft eligible CHL guys. That’s not even mentioning taking ice time from Ethan MacKenzie, who has been one of the best defensemen in the CHL this year. 

If the rumors about Carels being a near lock to commit are true, then we could have a real logjam at LD. That would be Laurila, Strathmann, Jubenvill, MacKenzie, and Carels all vying for time there. Even if Jubenvill transfers, I wonder if we see Laurila play his offside. I know he did that a lot in Fargo

[atxsioux]

2 hours ago, Fratt Mattin said:

I think Wiebe is probably the most likely departure, followed by Livanavage. Verhoeff will depend a lot on who drafts him and how pro ready he looks in the second half. Right now he looks like he needs another year, but that could change fast. I imagine Emery will play one more year to keep rounding out his offensive game, but you never know. Jubenvill is probably gone to the portal unless he starts seeing more playing time.

Let's just assume Wiebe and Livanavage go pro and Jubenvill hits the portal. Then your d-core for next year looks like this right now:

Laurila-Verhoeff

MacKenzie-Emery

Strathmann-Lindberg

Extras: Engel, ?, ?

If they added two of the names mentioned above, it would be a very talented group, but also a pretty young and inexperienced one. I wonder if they would look at adding only one more freshman recruit and then getting a vet out of the portal to balance things out.

Technically they'd be young class wise but present day based on the current players you projected, the only 18 year old they would have on the blueline is Verhoeff. (And fortunately he's got the poise of a Senior/JR + as we all know likely a top 5 draft pick)

20 yo Soph  - 18 yo Soph

20 yo Fresh - JR

JR - 19 yo Fresh

I think that mix makes it acceptable to possibly bring in 2 new CHL recruits on the backend if they want to.

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]