Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

[Slap Shot]

Very true. Many heavily criticized Eaves for his team's play this year (ok...it was pretty abysmal). But his team's play last year, when it was loaded with seniors, was quite poor and was more in line with what we managed this year.

lolwut

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

Unfortunately, they'll have to massively exceed expectations to be in the title discussion.

After watching Omaha earlier this evening, there is no doubt in my mind that a similarly young Gopher team could conceivably make it to the Frozen Four next season. I realize that for most any team to make it that far things have to break your way in critical games. Plus you need great goaltending, not only skill but a lot of luck in your end (pipes, missed open nets, tips going just wide, etc.). But really if a much less talented Omaha team can make it as far as they did with a freshmen and sophomore dominated lineup there is no reason why the Gophers can't make it further than they did this year. At a minimum that gives me some reason to be more optimistic than I probably should be...

That said, even this year's team, with all of their experienced and talented NHL draft choices, would have had to have played their best game of the season to compete with either UND or BU, the way both of those teams competed in the second semifinal this evening. I just thought the compete level of both of those teams was off the charts, and with that - plus the talent level both of these teams possess - there was very little likelihood that even this year's Gophers squad could have beaten either one, even at their best.

So that brings my optimism down a couple of notches regarding next season, when both our talent and experience levels will be down. They will clearly need all of the dedication, determination and team chemistry that they can possibly muster to even match what this year's team accomplished. But if they can somehow do that and even then some, it would be real fun to watch.

[5mn_Major]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

I can only say that any number of teams have achieved more with less that this year's team did.

Very true. Many heavily criticized Eaves for his team's play this year (ok...it was pretty abysmal). But his team's play last year, when it was loaded with seniors, was quite poor and was more in line with what we managed this year.

[Bonin21]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

Unfortunately, they'll have to massively exceed expectations to be in the title discussion.

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

Just don't appear to have the horses that we've been blessed with over the last 5 years.

I can only say that any number of teams have achieved more with less that this year's team did. Certainly the coaching will need to do a better job with the talent they do have and the veteran players/captains will need to provide the necessary leadership so the team's attitude remains positive throughout the entire season. If so I see no reason why next year's team cannot exceed expectations.

[5mn_Major]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

Ah, the oft-alluded to "other issues" that supposedly contributed to this team's underachievement. Hopefully they were a one-year thing.

Yeah. Different/Additional issues next year. Just don't appear to have the horses that we've been blessed with over the last 5 years. It should turn around when we get Wait, Reedy and Middlestadt on campus.

[The Rube]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

Ah, the oft-alluded to "other issues" that supposedly contributed to this team's underachievement. Hopefully they were a one-year thing.

We all hope so.

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

This year we had other issues.

Ah, the oft-alluded to "other issues" that supposedly contributed to this team's underachievement. Hopefully they were a one-year thing.

[5mn_Major]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

a couple on GPL seem to have the attitude of 'fine if they all leave' as if Gophs would be better off. Not me.

Exhibit A of why I wouldn't trust player judgement to too many there. Reilly was a very rare talent by leading a team in scoring whose losses 3 out of 4 times come from scoring droughts. Its a coaches job to create situations and line combos to turn that into a huge competitive advantage. This year we had other issues.

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

Guess I waited too long to write it.

I tried... Now quick, write something more on Fasching!

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

Guess he didn't read it.

Guess I waited too long to write it.

[Bonin21]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

Guess he didn't read it.

[Koho]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

I bet Fasching stays.

I even think there is a slight chance Reilly stays. a couple on GPL seem to have the attitude of 'fine if they all leave' as if Gophs would be better off. Not me. I would take Reilly back in a second. Others state he would be stupid to stay, doesn't have anything to gain. Leopold didn't have a lot to gain development-wise (granted, he had a team with tons of talent to return to) and it didn't hurt him. There are two areas Reilly can improve the most: D positioning and strength. The college game is suited for both. Yeah, he will need to adjust positioning to the speed of the pros eventually, but there is more time to work on teaching and a lot more time to build your body in a college season with less games.

I know of a few past players saying the fun of playing with friends (and family in Mike's case) is worth delaying pros and highly recommend it. And it is not like 15 years ago, when some knee injuries meant the end of a career. Very few career-enders other than multiple concussions in this age of sports medicine. There is a limit on what a team can offer anyway, and he will get the rookie max either year.

Of course there is the article by a Blue Jackets writer that surmises there is no doubt he will leave this year, but the writer postulates he is waiting to be a free agent, maybe so he can play for the Wild. Free Agency seems like the likely route he will go this year. One GPL poster suggested he should get whatever Columbus is offering while he can. Don't think that poster realizes how good Reilly is. He is already a better skater and stickhandler than many NHL D-men, and as he adjusts to the speed, grows in size a little, his vision of the play will also likely exceed many NHL D. His Skating, speed, stickhandling and vision are commodities you don't often find in one package, and he will add weight and learn better positioning in time. I think he is in the driver's seat for his future. A struggling team is a great place for a guy who needs a break or two to make the NHL, but when you have Reilly's talent, you can hold out for a team that shows potential for the foreseeable future.

So Mike, if you are listening, come back and win the Hobey playing with your brothers, then sign with the Wild so we can watch you quarterback the PP to a better percentage than this year in a few years.

[D2D]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

What are the odds Fasching returns?

Anyone hearing anything?

[dxmnkd316]

Re: Minnesota Gopher Season Thread: 2014-15 (Continued)

Subscribed because there's no offseason thread.