Minnesota Gopher 2012 offseason thread

[5mn_Major]

Re: Minnesota Gopher 2012 offseason thread

Could it be a development in the Wild that gives Haula a chance for 4 years with the Gophs?

I've never been too impressed by what has always seemed to be an inept Wild team (esp with the potential advantages of being in Minnesota). They might have turned the corner on this one.

Leaves the Wild with a local flavor in its top players:
Parise...Home: Minnesota, College: North Dakota
Heatly...Home: Germany, College: Wisconsin
Cullen...Home: Minnesota, College: SCSU
Suter...Home: Wisconsin, College: Wisconsin
Gilbert...Home: Minnesota, College: Wisconsin

With a system that includes kids either from or playing college hockey in MN, WI or ND in Prosser, Dowell, Fontaine, Lucia, Haula, Rau, Genoway, and Seeler.

[Stauber1]

Re: Minnesota Gopher 2012 offseason thread

Could it be a development in the Wild that gives Haula a chance for 4 years with the Gophs?

I've never been too impressed by what has always seemed to be an inept Wild team (esp with the potential advantages of being in Minnesota). They might have turned the corner on this one.

Leaves the Wild with a local flavor in its top players:
Parise...Home: Minnesota, College: North Dakota
Heatly...Home: Germany, College: Wisconsin
Cullen...Home: Minnesota, College: SCSU
Suter...Home: Wisconsin, College: Wisconsin
Gilbert...Home: Minnesota, College: Wisconsin

With a system that includes kids either from or playing college hockey in MN, WI or ND in Prosser, Dowell, Fontaine, Lucia, Haula, Rau, Genoway, and Seeler.

I don't pretend to understand the ins and outs of pro hockey all that well, but Haula's number of years in the Maroon and Gold seems to me to come down to if he/how much he stands out in college hockey next year, and/or how badly he wants to start getting paid.

I will agree that it's pretty cool to see all the regional NCAA players. It will make it much easier for this college hockey fan to start paying closer attention to the NHL.

[5mn_Major]

Re: Minnesota Gopher 2012 offseason thread

I don't pretend to understand the ins and outs of pro hockey all that well, but Haula's number of years in the Maroon and Gold seems to me to come down to if he/how much he stands out in college hockey next year, and/or how badly he wants to start getting paid.

Of course. But loading up the Wild's lineup and salary cap is welcome if (and its a big if) it gives Haula even a bit of a chance to stay.

[Greyeagle]

Re: Minnesota Gopher 2012 offseason thread

Roman on Bjugstad's decision process.

[HarleyMC]

Re: Minnesota Gopher 2012 offseason thread

Hmmm...what will B-jugs do? Dave Tallon has mentioned the Panthers are eager to add more offense. However, with other excellent offensive prospects ready to make the jump, B-jugs may have to stand in line in the AHL first before getting his shot at the big show. The blog writer below speculates B-jugs will mostly likely play for the Gophers next season. I concur.

Jonathan Huberdeau

This kid is simply amazing. The Panthers took him in the 1st round (3rd overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. He's been refining his chops with the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the last couple of years and may be ready for the NHL next season. Last season Huberdeau scored a total of 72 points in only 37 games played. In the 2010-11 he blistered the Q with 105 points in 67 games played. Huberdeau could very well be the future of the franchise if he can keep up the pace and I fully expect to see him on the ice in South Florida next season.

Nick Bjugstad

The pride of the University of Minnesota will probably play for the Gophers again next season. Bjugstad is still in college but it looks like he's got a bright future in the NHL. Bjugstad is a big power center at 6-5 and 211 pounds. Last year he led the Gophers with 25 goals scored in 40 games. Not only can he drive the net his size allows him to be a force on defense as well.

Quinton Howden

Howden has been on fire for the last few years. He's spent the last five seasons with the Moosejaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League where he tallied 65 points in only 52 games played in the 2011-12 season. It seems that Howden has the talent to make next season's team but he'll still have to earn that right at the Panthers' camp.

Top Prospects to Watch

Could it be a development in the Wild that gives Haula a chance for 4 years with the Gophs?

I've never been too impressed by what has always seemed to be an inept Wild team (esp with the potential advantages of being in Minnesota). They might have turned the corner on this one.

Leaves the Wild with a local flavor in its top players:
Parise...Home: Minnesota, College: North Dakota
Heatly...Home: Germany, College: Wisconsin
Cullen...Home: Minnesota, College: SCSU
Suter...Home: Wisconsin, College: Wisconsin
Gilbert...Home: Minnesota, College: Wisconsin

With a system that includes kids either from or playing college hockey in MN, WI or ND in Prosser, Dowell, Fontaine, Lucia, Haula, Rau, Genoway, and Seeler.

Nice synopsis 5mn! Is there an NHL team with more WCHA players? But just based upon PR potential alone, the Wild could certainly use a home town favorite: Haula, Rau or Lucia

If Mario's college career goes well, maybe Mario will be that future star in a couple years. Mario Lucia finished the 2011-2012 season with 121 points in both the regular season and playoffs and helped lead the Penticton Vees to a 4-3 win over the Woodstock Slammers to claim the 2012 RBC Cup as the national champions of Canadian Junior "A" hockey. He was third in the regular season with 94 points and had 27 points in 26 playoff games. Now THAT'S a trophy:

*****http://i594.***********.com/albums/tt28/harleymc1/4ef64c969d7511e1ab011231381052c0_7.jpg******

[4four4]

Re: Minnesota Gopher 2012 offseason thread

Ok, I have asked what Nick will do. From what I have been told it comes down to playing time at the NHL level.

[JDUBBS1280]

Of course. But loading up the Wild's lineup and salary cap is welcome if (and its a big if) it gives Haula even a bit of a chance to stay.

Depends on whether they close the loophole (technically it isn't a loophole, but I don't know what else to call it) that allows college players to become free agents if they played a year of juniors first. If they don't change that, the Wild will certainly try and sign Haula after this season to prevent any possibility of losing him.

[JDUBBS1280]

Re: Minnesota Gopher 2012 offseason thread

And FYI... Rau is a Florida Panthers prospect, not a Minnesota Wild prospect.

[Stauber1]

Re: Minnesota Gopher 2012 offseason thread

FYI...Chad, not Kyle.

[Stauber1]

Re: Minnesota Gopher 2012 offseason thread

Ok, I have asked what Nick will do. From what I have been told it comes down to playing time at the NHL level.

I think that's widely accepted as the situation.
The encouraging news for Gopher fans is that Florida seems like they will be pretty honest with Bjugstad, and Bjugstad has enough ties and desire to return to MN so that he won't be tempted by hypotheticals and longshots. Or so it seems.

[HarleyMC]

Re: Minnesota Gopher 2012 offseason thread

No contract offered to B-jugs...

Prospect Nick Bjugstad, who had a solid camp this week, firmly denied a published report Friday that said he had been offered an NHL entry-level contract from the Panthers.

"We were just talking about staying or going, but there was no contract involved," said Bjugstad, 19. "I didn't turn down anything yet".

"I'm going to sit down with my family and advisors back home and it probably won't be too long from today for a decision, probably later next week or maybe two weeks."

- South Florida Sun Sentinel, July, 7, 2012

[5mn_Major]

Re: Minnesota Gopher 2012 offseason thread

Depends on whether they close the loophole (technically it isn't a loophole, but I don't know what else to call it) that allows college players to become free agents if they played a year of juniors first. If they don't change that, the Wild will certainly try and sign Haula after this season to prevent any possibility of losing him.

Good call. And it wouldn't be too surprising after all the Wild pickups and second rated farm system that Haula would accept.

[Greyeagle]

Re: Minnesota Gopher 2012 offseason thread

I think that's widely accepted as the situation.
The encouraging news for Gopher fans is that Florida seems like they will be pretty honest with Bjugstad, and Bjugstad has enough ties and desire to return to MN so that he won't be tempted by hypotheticals and longshots. Or so it seems.

Translation: They have nothing in common with the dope running the Islanders.

[HarleyMC]

Re: Minnesota Gopher 2012 offseason thread

*****http://i594.***********.com/albums/tt28/harleymc1/LuciaandMac.jpg******
"No, I left my DQ water bottle at home, but guess what? The Mac can hold 2.5 gallons of Gatorade, just enough to get me through 18 holes".

[HarleyMC]

Re: Minnesota Gopher 2012 offseason thread

Zach Budish will be at Soldier Field on Wednesday to help announce the Hockey City Classic, which will feature Minnesota vs. Wisconsin. Who's goin'?