Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge
He's become ScrappyDoo!
He's become ScrappyDoo!
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Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge
- Thread starter ScoobyDoo
- Start date
HarleyMC
Registered User
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge
Scooby is a little more euphoric than I am. I'm willing to bet if the Gophers at any time in the next 6 games go down by 2 goals, Scooby will be sure to contribute a steadily escalating sense of foreboding.
Scooby is a little more euphoric than I am. I'm willing to bet if the Gophers at any time in the next 6 games go down by 2 goals, Scooby will be sure to contribute a steadily escalating sense of foreboding.
Driftryder
Gopher Hockey
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge
Bjugstad as well.
Bjugstad as well.
HarleyMC
Registered User
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge
No doubt he's gonna be good.
No doubt he's gonna be good.
ScoobyDoo
NPC
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge
He's accelerating. That's starting to give me a bad taste. I'll certainly offer him the benefit of the doubt for now.
He's accelerating. That's starting to give me a bad taste. I'll certainly offer him the benefit of the doubt for now.
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge
Couldn't the same be said of almost any team in the NCAA's?
Even DU...they had Colborne and Chevy out earlier this year...that didn't go too well for them. It doesn't help that with UND our three biggest injuries happened to be to our only three seniors...who happened to also be our captains. Once those three come back or get to 100%, I'm liking this UND team...
That said, if Genoway isn't back by the UMN series (Zajac will for sure be out, and VV will probably be back at 100%), then who knows. I wouldn't be surprised if UMN took 2-4 points.
Couldn't the same be said of almost any team in the NCAA's?
Even DU...they had Colborne and Chevy out earlier this year...that didn't go too well for them. It doesn't help that with UND our three biggest injuries happened to be to our only three seniors...who happened to also be our captains. Once those three come back or get to 100%, I'm liking this UND team...
That said, if Genoway isn't back by the UMN series (Zajac will for sure be out, and VV will probably be back at 100%), then who knows. I wouldn't be surprised if UMN took 2-4 points.
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge
Everyone (including me) said some things had to go right, as far as some players stepping up, for MN to be a top 3 team, and that a key loss or two (Like Bariball) could really hurt. Denver, on the other hand, looked good even if some players didn't step up. And if a couple stepped up, they could weather an injury or two better than a team like MN. Many (I think you included) tended to put UND closer to the Denver position whereas I put them closer to the MN position. Denver appeared to have a team that would have had to falter some not to achieve, whereas I would not have been surprised to see UND struggle from the beginning. This is all just what my opinion was in the offfseason so has no bearing on how people view the teams now. Thusfar, UND has fared better than MN, and MN clearly has underperformed.
As far as saying the same for most NCAA teams, I think we can all look back at recent teams that lost top players and still did quite well compared to others that dropped noticeably.
Couldn't the same be said of almost any team in the NCAA's?
Even DU...they had Colborne and Chevy out earlier this year...that didn't go too well for them. It doesn't help that with UND our three biggest injuries happened to be to our only three seniors...who happened to also be our captains. Once those three come back or get to 100%, I'm liking this UND team...
That said, if Genoway isn't back by the UMN series (Zajac will for sure be out, and VV will probably be back at 100%), then who knows. I wouldn't be surprised if UMN took 2-4 points.
Everyone (including me) said some things had to go right, as far as some players stepping up, for MN to be a top 3 team, and that a key loss or two (Like Bariball) could really hurt. Denver, on the other hand, looked good even if some players didn't step up. And if a couple stepped up, they could weather an injury or two better than a team like MN. Many (I think you included) tended to put UND closer to the Denver position whereas I put them closer to the MN position. Denver appeared to have a team that would have had to falter some not to achieve, whereas I would not have been surprised to see UND struggle from the beginning. This is all just what my opinion was in the offfseason so has no bearing on how people view the teams now. Thusfar, UND has fared better than MN, and MN clearly has underperformed.
As far as saying the same for most NCAA teams, I think we can all look back at recent teams that lost top players and still did quite well compared to others that dropped noticeably.
StateOfGophers
Registered User
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge
Is Ambroz accelerating as well or is he waiting until 2011-2012?
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge
I don't think that's the case. If they go 3-0-1 in non-conference and split with UND, they will be a game above .500 at that point with 12 games to go. If they then go 7-5 over those final twelve (which is very plausible) and finish the regular season 3 games above .500 with:
- wins OOC against MSU (a very likely Tournament team) and BSU (a team I actually expect to get an at-large bid - even after last weekend)
- winning records against ECAC and CCHA
- only 2 OOC losses to Mich and BSU.
- some wins against various high-rated teams in-conference
- I also think the WCHA will get 5 or maybe 6 teams in the Tournament this year (although these couple weeks of non-conference play will help make that all a bit more clear). That means they need to pass up, in-conference, Mankato and 1 other team in the pwr before the regular season ends.
That will be good enough to be on the bubble, meaning they will be able to earn their way into the NCAA Tournament through the WCHA Tournament without having to actually win the Broadmoor.
Given the way this first part of the season has gone, I think that is about as much as you can ask for.
I don't think that's the case. If they go 3-0-1 in non-conference and split with UND, they will be a game above .500 at that point with 12 games to go. If they then go 7-5 over those final twelve (which is very plausible) and finish the regular season 3 games above .500 with:
- wins OOC against MSU (a very likely Tournament team) and BSU (a team I actually expect to get an at-large bid - even after last weekend)
- winning records against ECAC and CCHA
- only 2 OOC losses to Mich and BSU.
- some wins against various high-rated teams in-conference
- I also think the WCHA will get 5 or maybe 6 teams in the Tournament this year (although these couple weeks of non-conference play will help make that all a bit more clear). That means they need to pass up, in-conference, Mankato and 1 other team in the pwr before the regular season ends.
That will be good enough to be on the bubble, meaning they will be able to earn their way into the NCAA Tournament through the WCHA Tournament without having to actually win the Broadmoor.
Given the way this first part of the season has gone, I think that is about as much as you can ask for.
ScoobyDoo
NPC
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge
Not sure. I thought he was coming in next year, but I don't know off the top of my head. I'll check tomorrow.
Not sure. I thought he was coming in next year, but I don't know off the top of my head. I'll check tomorrow.
HarleyMC
Registered User
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge
Nick Bjugstad has definitely been eating his Wheaties and is accelerating in more ways than one. Last year he was 5'10" 155 lbs. This year he's 6'4" 185 lbs and getting a lot of attention from just about every NHL team as a potential first round draft pick.
He's got a world-class shot, his increase in size makes him a strong, physical power forward. He's a likely top candidate for Mr. Hockey, and will make a strong contribution in getting Blaine into the State HS tourney this year.
Nick Bjugstad has definitely been eating his Wheaties and is accelerating in more ways than one. Last year he was 5'10" 155 lbs. This year he's 6'4" 185 lbs and getting a lot of attention from just about every NHL team as a potential first round draft pick.
He's got a world-class shot, his increase in size makes him a strong, physical power forward. He's a likely top candidate for Mr. Hockey, and will make a strong contribution in getting Blaine into the State HS tourney this year.
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge
Wow talk about a huge growth pattern! IMO, he still needs to gain more weight but NHL scouts probably are salivating.
Why does it give you a bad taste? Because he will be at the "U" for a year or two? Sure Nick go somewhere where else and play. IMO, Lucia should always recruit the best players regardless of the country, team or if the player accelerates his studies.
Wow talk about a huge growth pattern! IMO, he still needs to gain more weight but NHL scouts probably are salivating.
Why does it give you a bad taste? Because he will be at the "U" for a year or two? Sure Nick go somewhere where else and play. IMO, Lucia should always recruit the best players regardless of the country, team or if the player accelerates his studies.
state of hockey
He fixes the cable?
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge
Bjugstad rules. Can't wait to go to Fogerty for the 'Tonka-Blaine game.
Bjugstad rules. Can't wait to go to Fogerty for the 'Tonka-Blaine game.
HarleyMC
Registered User
Slap Shot
I got nothing
You want to go just so you can yell, "LET'S GO SKIPP-ERS!!!" Come on everyone now...
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge
Been waiting for this upcoming set of recruits for awhile.
We talk about just how special Bjugstad is...but we've also got:
Haula, Walters, Ambroz and Schmidt - all among the USHL's top 25 scorers and that doesn't even get to Marshall, Gardiner, Alt, Isackson and Boyd
An incredible group. Having said that, things don't always work out as planned...I well remember the 88ers, etc. of EJ, Okposo, Wheeler, Kessel, Frazee, OBrien and Fischer.
Been waiting for this upcoming set of recruits for awhile.
We talk about just how special Bjugstad is...but we've also got:
Haula, Walters, Ambroz and Schmidt - all among the USHL's top 25 scorers and that doesn't even get to Marshall, Gardiner, Alt, Isackson and Boyd
An incredible group. Having said that, things don't always work out as planned...I well remember the 88ers, etc. of EJ, Okposo, Wheeler, Kessel, Frazee, OBrien and Fischer.
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ScoobyDoo
NPC
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge
I'm the first one to realize that each individual is different but Minnesota's overall success with acceleration has not been grand.
That being said I'm excited for Nick to come here and I hope he's the exception.
I'm the first one to realize that each individual is different but Minnesota's overall success with acceleration has not been grand.
That being said I'm excited for Nick to come here and I hope he's the exception.
HarleyMC
Registered User
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge
Mark Alt from Cretin-Derham Hall is probably, next to Bjugstad, the best HS hockey player coming to Gophers. He has very similar size at 6'4'', 204. The son of former Kansas City Chiefs 11 year veteran tackle Jon Alt, Mark could be the best athlete playing high school hockey in the state of Minnesota. His size and skating abilities as a defenseman don't come around that often which is why many NHL scouts are giving him a hard look this season. The star quarterback who led the Raiders to the Class 5A football championship, has a 4.0 grade-point average in honors classes. If he does well in hockey this year he may have a shot at Mr. Hockey and be drafted high in the NHL draft.
The problem is he's not sure he wants to play hockey with the Gophers now. He's considering playing football instead. He was recently named Pioneer Press Football Player of the Year and is considering his options. Alt did not sign with the Gophers in hockey during the early signing period last month. Iowa, Missouri, Stanford, Oklahoma and Wisconsin have shown interest in his QB abilities. He plans on visiting those schools (he's already visited Iowa) in Jan., while a displaced collarbone he suffered in the third quarter of the state championship game against Eden Prairie heals.
Most think he is good but not good enough to make it in the NFL but could be drafted high in the NHL draft next year. Seems to me, the hockey option has more potential for Mark. However, he has exceeded expectations in football and could very well pass up a scholarship to play hockey with the Gophers.
Mark Alt from Cretin-Derham Hall is probably, next to Bjugstad, the best HS hockey player coming to Gophers. He has very similar size at 6'4'', 204. The son of former Kansas City Chiefs 11 year veteran tackle Jon Alt, Mark could be the best athlete playing high school hockey in the state of Minnesota. His size and skating abilities as a defenseman don't come around that often which is why many NHL scouts are giving him a hard look this season. The star quarterback who led the Raiders to the Class 5A football championship, has a 4.0 grade-point average in honors classes. If he does well in hockey this year he may have a shot at Mr. Hockey and be drafted high in the NHL draft.
The problem is he's not sure he wants to play hockey with the Gophers now. He's considering playing football instead. He was recently named Pioneer Press Football Player of the Year and is considering his options. Alt did not sign with the Gophers in hockey during the early signing period last month. Iowa, Missouri, Stanford, Oklahoma and Wisconsin have shown interest in his QB abilities. He plans on visiting those schools (he's already visited Iowa) in Jan., while a displaced collarbone he suffered in the third quarter of the state championship game against Eden Prairie heals.
Most think he is good but not good enough to make it in the NFL but could be drafted high in the NHL draft next year. Seems to me, the hockey option has more potential for Mark. However, he has exceeded expectations in football and could very well pass up a scholarship to play hockey with the Gophers.
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge
IMO, if the elite players don't accelerate their studies many of them will intstead opt to go north and play MJ.
IMO, if the elite players don't accelerate their studies many of them will intstead opt to go north and play MJ.
ScoobyDoo
NPC
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010: Calmly Step Away from the Ledge
That's one hell of a box Lucia is in then. Let's hope with all these great recruits that he has coming in he can right the ship this season and reap the rewards that are to come.
Of course if the Exodus continues like it did for the players in 5mn_Major's list below it may not make any difference.
That's one hell of a box Lucia is in then. Let's hope with all these great recruits that he has coming in he can right the ship this season and reap the rewards that are to come.
Of course if the Exodus continues like it did for the players in 5mn_Major's list below it may not make any difference.