Re: University of North Dakota Hockey: 2011-2012
Next year will probably be more like 2005-2006, where a relatively large number of incoming freshmen will make for growing pains in the first half of season, hopefully followed by another run at WCHA regular season and the postseason titles.
Let's assume for the moment that there's no other early departures. I think there's good reason to hope for such. First is the quality of coaching, as evidenced by the team's decision making with the puck, and how we skate without it. I've seen a bunch of NHL games in the last 2 months, and our defensive zone coverage and poise with the puck are better than a lot of what I've seen. I'm not saying we're as good as an NHL team, just that our execution of fundamental team play is exceptionally good. If you own the rights to Blood, MacWilliam, Simpson, you're probably thinking they will develop faster there than in the AHL with 80 games and limited practices or in the NHL playing 6-8 minutes a game on the 3rd pair. Similarly up front, our play along the walls, our faceoff play, our forecheck, are all evidence of significant team chemistry but also strong coaching. Last, the guys who are most likely to go up are going to get PK, PP time, clutch time and will learn how to handle. Or, maybe my heart is leading my mind here ...
In goal, most teams will kill for a tandem of Dell and Eidsness. With Goehring as volunteer assistant, and the obvious development of Dell this season, I can see UND becoming a "prime destination" for top goaltending recruits.
On defense, what's left looks a lot like what played many nights THIS season. Blood-Forbort, MacWilliam-Simpson, Gleason - [hot competition for #6 slot]. Or on the road, I could see breaking up the pairings to avoid mismatches. Come October, we'll be glad of all the ice time that Simpson & Forbort got this season.
Up front, there will clearly be multiple freshmen in the lineup most nights. That would suggest a rookie mixed in each of lines 2-3-4. I can't see splitting up Gregoire-Knight-Hextall! I'd also like to see a Kristo-Rodwell combination, because I think they would complement each other well. Should be a good balance of size and speed up front. Maybe a bit more tipped toward speed than the last couple Sioux teams.
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To the WCHA:
In ranking this far ahead, one can rank teams by their goaltenders. So, I see a top tier of four teams: UNO, UND, CC, and DU. I'd tag UNO as the early favorite (barring more early departures). Deano will finally have most of the roster stacked with his recruits. I can see UNO hockey becoming a hot ticket in Omaha, with average attendance challenging UND. Any of these four could win the NCAA next season.
I see a second tier of UMD and Wisconsin. Depending on locker room chemistry and recruits, and a bounce here or there and either could win a MacNaughton.
I see a third tier of Bemidji (Serratore starting to get some WCHA recruits!), St Cloud, UAA and Minnesota. All could challenge for home ice, and any of them could win the Broadmoor with a good run, but I don't see a MacNaughton happening.
And, a fourth tier of MSU Mankato and Michigan Tech. Too many holes (Youds, Davis) and too far to seriously contend.
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Last, and also on WCHA league topics, I'd like to see a revamp of the playoff format to mirror the CCHA's. Its no coincidence that their NCAA performances have leapt forward since giving their top seeds a weeks rest. Its time for WCHA to do likewise.
Next year will probably be more like 2005-2006, where a relatively large number of incoming freshmen will make for growing pains in the first half of season, hopefully followed by another run at WCHA regular season and the postseason titles.
Let's assume for the moment that there's no other early departures. I think there's good reason to hope for such. First is the quality of coaching, as evidenced by the team's decision making with the puck, and how we skate without it. I've seen a bunch of NHL games in the last 2 months, and our defensive zone coverage and poise with the puck are better than a lot of what I've seen. I'm not saying we're as good as an NHL team, just that our execution of fundamental team play is exceptionally good. If you own the rights to Blood, MacWilliam, Simpson, you're probably thinking they will develop faster there than in the AHL with 80 games and limited practices or in the NHL playing 6-8 minutes a game on the 3rd pair. Similarly up front, our play along the walls, our faceoff play, our forecheck, are all evidence of significant team chemistry but also strong coaching. Last, the guys who are most likely to go up are going to get PK, PP time, clutch time and will learn how to handle. Or, maybe my heart is leading my mind here ...
In goal, most teams will kill for a tandem of Dell and Eidsness. With Goehring as volunteer assistant, and the obvious development of Dell this season, I can see UND becoming a "prime destination" for top goaltending recruits.
On defense, what's left looks a lot like what played many nights THIS season. Blood-Forbort, MacWilliam-Simpson, Gleason - [hot competition for #6 slot]. Or on the road, I could see breaking up the pairings to avoid mismatches. Come October, we'll be glad of all the ice time that Simpson & Forbort got this season.
Up front, there will clearly be multiple freshmen in the lineup most nights. That would suggest a rookie mixed in each of lines 2-3-4. I can't see splitting up Gregoire-Knight-Hextall! I'd also like to see a Kristo-Rodwell combination, because I think they would complement each other well. Should be a good balance of size and speed up front. Maybe a bit more tipped toward speed than the last couple Sioux teams.
===============
To the WCHA:
In ranking this far ahead, one can rank teams by their goaltenders. So, I see a top tier of four teams: UNO, UND, CC, and DU. I'd tag UNO as the early favorite (barring more early departures). Deano will finally have most of the roster stacked with his recruits. I can see UNO hockey becoming a hot ticket in Omaha, with average attendance challenging UND. Any of these four could win the NCAA next season.
I see a second tier of UMD and Wisconsin. Depending on locker room chemistry and recruits, and a bounce here or there and either could win a MacNaughton.
I see a third tier of Bemidji (Serratore starting to get some WCHA recruits!), St Cloud, UAA and Minnesota. All could challenge for home ice, and any of them could win the Broadmoor with a good run, but I don't see a MacNaughton happening.
And, a fourth tier of MSU Mankato and Michigan Tech. Too many holes (Youds, Davis) and too far to seriously contend.
=================================
Last, and also on WCHA league topics, I'd like to see a revamp of the playoff format to mirror the CCHA's. Its no coincidence that their NCAA performances have leapt forward since giving their top seeds a weeks rest. Its time for WCHA to do likewise.
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