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Minnesota State Offseason Thread
- Thread starter MavsFan
- Start date
purpleinnebraska
Well-known member
Unfortunately, that's where we are. In the offseason. So what do you see as the biggest concerns for next year? I am worried about goaltending. Obviously, Lacouvee is gone. Pawloski has been inconsistent at best.
Scoring will be an issue. With the 3 senior forwards and (I assume) Brinkley gone, that’s about 150 points disappearing. We can’t replace that. We’ll need to be better defensively and also get the goaltending you mentioned
Re: Minnesota State Offseason Thread
Im not sure on the offense bei g down that much. We still have the germans and jaremko coming back. Thats a good base. Im not sure where we go on the goaltending. If pawolski can just get back to being a solid positional goalie, we could be ok.
I kinda feel the same way as i did after the leitner/palmquist year. It feels like a us fighting for 2nd/3rd in conference.
Im not sure on the offense bei g down that much. We still have the germans and jaremko coming back. Thats a good base. Im not sure where we go on the goaltending. If pawolski can just get back to being a solid positional goalie, we could be ok.
I kinda feel the same way as i did after the leitner/palmquist year. It feels like a us fighting for 2nd/3rd in conference.
MavHockey14
New member
Scoring will be an issue. With the 3 senior forwards and (I assume) Brinkley gone, that’s about 150 points disappearing. We can’t replace that. We’ll need to be better defensively and also get the goaltending you mentioned
Per twitter, this year’s senior class played 565 games, scored 143 goals, 188 assists, 331 points, won 101 games, 3 MacNaughton Cups, 1 Broadnoor, and 2 NCAA appearances.
Talk about leaving the program in a better spot than when you joined it!
The next step is clearly to win an NCAA game. That monkey needs to get off the back ASAP.
MavHockey14
New member
Re: Minnesota State Offseason Thread
Also, Daniel Brickley is leaving school, and will be choosing between San Jose, Los Angeles, and Detroit.
Also, Daniel Brickley is leaving school, and will be choosing between San Jose, Los Angeles, and Detroit.
purpleinnebraska
Well-known member
Re: Minnesota State Offseason Thread
Exactly my feelings. I have great faith in Coach Hastings, and I like the guys we have coming back (I think Mackey could really step up and be the best defenseman in the conference next year), but home ice for the playoffs next year is about our highest reasonable expectation.
I kinda feel the same way as i did after the leitner/palmquist year. It feels like a us fighting for 2nd/3rd in conference.
Exactly my feelings. I have great faith in Coach Hastings, and I like the guys we have coming back (I think Mackey could really step up and be the best defenseman in the conference next year), but home ice for the playoffs next year is about our highest reasonable expectation.
Exactly my feelings. I have great faith in Coach Hastings, and I like the guys we have coming back (I think Mackey could really step up and be the best defenseman in the conference next year), but home ice for the playoffs next year is about our highest reasonable expectation.
Thats at least until we know what we have in goal.
MavHockey14
New member
Thats at least until we know what we have in goal.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Mavs look the route of a grad transfer again, similar to LaCouvee’s situation.
Two guys coming in next year, not exactly lighting up the stat sheet...
Jacob Berger - Merritt Cenntenials - BCHL
13-24-0 with a .905 save percentage and 3.45 GAA.
Dryden McKay - Madison Capitols - USHL
18-21-1 with a .909 save percentage and 3.30 GAA
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MavHockey14
New member
Re: Minnesota State Offseason Thread
I don’t mean to be arrogant, but I think the expectation for this program should be to make the NCAA Tournament every year in the current WCHA.
The Mavs have established themselves as the conference’s top program currently, amassing the most wins in the country, beefing up the non conference schedule, etc.
The level of investment into the program is one designed to return championships — as fans, we should expect that this team is winning the league regularly and in the NCAAs most years, etc.
Now, I know the WCHA has had some other programs put together a couple of very good teams — but no one in the WCHA has better advantages in recruiting than MSU. Expectations should reflect that.
I don’t mean to be arrogant, but I think the expectation for this program should be to make the NCAA Tournament every year in the current WCHA.
The Mavs have established themselves as the conference’s top program currently, amassing the most wins in the country, beefing up the non conference schedule, etc.
The level of investment into the program is one designed to return championships — as fans, we should expect that this team is winning the league regularly and in the NCAAs most years, etc.
Now, I know the WCHA has had some other programs put together a couple of very good teams — but no one in the WCHA has better advantages in recruiting than MSU. Expectations should reflect that.
Re: Minnesota State Offseason Thread
I agree with that. I dont necessarily tbink its arrogant so much as it reality in the WCHA. There are some programs in the league that have taken thos approach and others that havent. MSU is one of the schools that has. We should be competing foe the league championship.
Next year has the feel of being a down year due to the sheer volume of offense being lost. That being said, MSU is one of the few teams in the conference that schedules in a way that allows us to make the NCAAs without winning the league. It makes the non-conference of utmost importance, but that schedule makes it possible year in and year out.
I agree with that. I dont necessarily tbink its arrogant so much as it reality in the WCHA. There are some programs in the league that have taken thos approach and others that havent. MSU is one of the schools that has. We should be competing foe the league championship.
Next year has the feel of being a down year due to the sheer volume of offense being lost. That being said, MSU is one of the few teams in the conference that schedules in a way that allows us to make the NCAAs without winning the league. It makes the non-conference of utmost importance, but that schedule makes it possible year in and year out.
MavHockey14
New member
Any concern that Hastings is considered for the st cloud job and it is his alma mater? Im not much of a "the sky is falling" guy, but just curious if that is a consideration?
He will definitely get a call.
Mavericks should be able to match any salary that SCSU gives as an offer.
Hastings will have to decide if moving his family up to St. Cloud, with his son in HS, and his daughter a freshman softball player here, is worth coaching at his alma mater and moving into the NCHC.
Re: Minnesota State Offseason Thread
I'd say Tech is right there with them, probably tied for top program, NCAA's 3 of 4 years, Shared a MacNaughton, 1 - Broadmoor and 1 - Sauer trophy and 97 wins over the last 4 years.
I don’t mean to be arrogant, but I think the expectation for this program should be to make the NCAA Tournament every year in the current WCHA.
The Mavs have established themselves as the conference’s top program currently, amassing the most wins in the country, beefing up the non conference schedule, etc.
The level of investment into the program is one designed to return championships — as fans, we should expect that this team is winning the league regularly and in the NCAAs most years, etc.
Now, I know the WCHA has had some other programs put together a couple of very good teams — but no one in the WCHA has better advantages in recruiting than MSU. Expectations should reflect that.
I'd say Tech is right there with them, probably tied for top program, NCAA's 3 of 4 years, Shared a MacNaughton, 1 - Broadmoor and 1 - Sauer trophy and 97 wins over the last 4 years.
MavHockey14
New member
Re: Minnesota State Offseason Thread
IF Mike Hastings leaves Mankato for SCSU, I would think Todd Knott would likely take over here, FWIW.
I know he’s been highly thought of for awhile in the coaching community, is a fantastic recruiter, and now seeing Brad Schliemann, Grand Forks Herlad report he’s heard Knott as a name to watch throughout the coaching carousel.
IF Mike Hastings leaves Mankato for SCSU, I would think Todd Knott would likely take over here, FWIW.
I know he’s been highly thought of for awhile in the coaching community, is a fantastic recruiter, and now seeing Brad Schliemann, Grand Forks Herlad report he’s heard Knott as a name to watch throughout the coaching carousel.
Double Major
Member
Re: Minnesota State Offseason Thread
I'd agree with that.
And Bemidji will always be a top-5 team with Serratorre at the helm. I would also suggest that Northern Michigan is an up-and-comer, especially if Potulny stays in Marquette for a while. Frankly I'm surprised the Goofers didn't give Potulny a harder look before grabbing Motzko.
The upper tier of the WCHA is definately getting more competitive. Hoping to see improvement from #6-10 in the WCHA,as well. That would be a very good thing.
I'd say Tech is right there with them, probably tied for top program, NCAA's 3 of 4 years, Shared a MacNaughton, 1 - Broadmoor and 1 - Sauer trophy and 97 wins over the last 4 years.
I'd agree with that.
And Bemidji will always be a top-5 team with Serratorre at the helm. I would also suggest that Northern Michigan is an up-and-comer, especially if Potulny stays in Marquette for a while. Frankly I'm surprised the Goofers didn't give Potulny a harder look before grabbing Motzko.
The upper tier of the WCHA is definately getting more competitive. Hoping to see improvement from #6-10 in the WCHA,as well. That would be a very good thing.
Iwearpurple
Registered User
Re: Minnesota State Offseason Thread
Thoughts on the past season:
If it were not for a couple of strange bounces (Two shots that had they changed course by an inch or two would have gone in rather than hitting iron, and a shot that was the game winner except we have a player checked into the net and he inadvertently make the save) of the puck, we would be on top of the world for finally winning an NCAA game, and probably still practicing for the upcoming Frozen Four Rather, we are still complaining that the monkey is still on our back.
Did Daniel Brickley cost us the game. I don't know, but his play this season and certainly in Sioux Falls was not what you would expect for a player who most of the NHL teams want. Was he trying too hard to do too much? Or is he not that good. I'm going to guess he was trying to do too much.
Next, and this is by no means disrespect for the teams in the WCHA. We need to get into the NCHC. Simply put the caliber of play in the NCHC (Top to bottom) is much better than the WCHA. Much of the season in our league, we can put in a clunker of a period, or even a so so game and still win. Subconsciously, the players know that they don't always have to put in a Grade "A" effort to win games. Then come playoffs and the NCAA, we are over matched, because our strength of schedule is weaker than our opponents, and we are not used to putting in a full 60 minutes of hockey. Our non conference schedule was good (every non conference team we played was in the NCAA), and if those games were at the end of the season, we might have been better prepared.
Finally, why is our arena the most difficult to get into. Do they really have to ask me every time, I enter, if I have any guns on me (one particular security individual asks me every single time that I am unfortunate enough to go through his line)? This year, I went to games in Boston (a much larger city), Marquette, St. Cloud (a larger city), Bemidji, and Sioux Falls (another larger city). Every other facility was much easier to enter, and no long waiting lines.
All in all, I think that we really had a good year, but it is disappointing to lose our last game like we did, and that masks all the good of the season (more wins than any other team in the country).
What do I see next year. We will certainly be contenders for the WCHA. We had an excellent Freshman class and if the incoming class is half as good as this years, we should be able to score. My question is with the goaltending. Pawloski had every chance to win the job this year but couldn't. He seems to be hot and cold, and that won't get us far. Hopefully, one of the incoming goalies will step up and do the job. Without great goaltending, we cannot go far. Our best 2 years ever, we had goalies named Williams and LaCouvee. This is not a coincidence.
Travelling to many out of town games provided me the opportunity to meet many other fans, both Maverick and opposing team fans, and I had great times. Hopefully this will continue next year as I plan to go to North Dakota, Arizona, and a few other WCHA arenas.
Thoughts on the past season:
If it were not for a couple of strange bounces (Two shots that had they changed course by an inch or two would have gone in rather than hitting iron, and a shot that was the game winner except we have a player checked into the net and he inadvertently make the save) of the puck, we would be on top of the world for finally winning an NCAA game, and probably still practicing for the upcoming Frozen Four Rather, we are still complaining that the monkey is still on our back.
Did Daniel Brickley cost us the game. I don't know, but his play this season and certainly in Sioux Falls was not what you would expect for a player who most of the NHL teams want. Was he trying too hard to do too much? Or is he not that good. I'm going to guess he was trying to do too much.
Next, and this is by no means disrespect for the teams in the WCHA. We need to get into the NCHC. Simply put the caliber of play in the NCHC (Top to bottom) is much better than the WCHA. Much of the season in our league, we can put in a clunker of a period, or even a so so game and still win. Subconsciously, the players know that they don't always have to put in a Grade "A" effort to win games. Then come playoffs and the NCAA, we are over matched, because our strength of schedule is weaker than our opponents, and we are not used to putting in a full 60 minutes of hockey. Our non conference schedule was good (every non conference team we played was in the NCAA), and if those games were at the end of the season, we might have been better prepared.
Finally, why is our arena the most difficult to get into. Do they really have to ask me every time, I enter, if I have any guns on me (one particular security individual asks me every single time that I am unfortunate enough to go through his line)? This year, I went to games in Boston (a much larger city), Marquette, St. Cloud (a larger city), Bemidji, and Sioux Falls (another larger city). Every other facility was much easier to enter, and no long waiting lines.
All in all, I think that we really had a good year, but it is disappointing to lose our last game like we did, and that masks all the good of the season (more wins than any other team in the country).
What do I see next year. We will certainly be contenders for the WCHA. We had an excellent Freshman class and if the incoming class is half as good as this years, we should be able to score. My question is with the goaltending. Pawloski had every chance to win the job this year but couldn't. He seems to be hot and cold, and that won't get us far. Hopefully, one of the incoming goalies will step up and do the job. Without great goaltending, we cannot go far. Our best 2 years ever, we had goalies named Williams and LaCouvee. This is not a coincidence.
Travelling to many out of town games provided me the opportunity to meet many other fans, both Maverick and opposing team fans, and I had great times. Hopefully this will continue next year as I plan to go to North Dakota, Arizona, and a few other WCHA arenas.
He will definitely get a call.
Mavericks should be able to match any salary that SCSU gives as an offer.
Hastings will have to decide if moving his family up to St. Cloud, with his son in HS, and his daughter a freshman softball player here, is worth coaching at his alma mater and moving into the NCHC.
My guess is that he would think it would be worth it. Coaching at the school he went to and coaching in the NCHC has a lot of pull to it. If he does indeed go there I can see Cary Eades of the Fargo Force getting a good look to replace him at Kato
MavHockey14
New member
My guess is that he would think it would be worth it. Coaching at the school he went to and coaching in the NCHC has a lot of pull to it. If he does indeed go there I can see Cary Eades of the Fargo Force getting a good look to replace him at Kato
To you that may make sense.
He’s making almost $350,000 a year for the next 8 years here, doesn’t have to uproot his family if he stays, and as I mentioned, the belief is that the Mavs will be in the NCHC in the next 2-4 years. (This could have changed, but was what I was told mid season.) There are a lot of reasons to stay right now, as well.
We ultimately don’t know what he’ll do, but we do know St. Cloud would be foolish not to give him a call.
If Mike leaves Mankato, I think there’s a very good likelihood Todd Knott takes over here in Mankato. I know Mike Guentzel would get the opportunity if he wanted it, too.
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MavHockey14
New member
Thoughts on the past season:
If it were not for a couple of strange bounces (Two shots that had they changed course by an inch or two would have gone in rather than hitting iron, and a shot that was the game winner except we have a player checked into the net and he inadvertently make the save) of the puck, we would be on top of the world for finally winning an NCAA game, and probably still practicing for the upcoming Frozen Four Rather, we are still complaining that the monkey is still on our back.
Did Daniel Brickley cost us the game. I don't know, but his play this season and certainly in Sioux Falls was not what you would expect for a player who most of the NHL teams want. Was he trying too hard to do too much? Or is he not that good. I'm going to guess he was trying to do too much.
Next, and this is by no means disrespect for the teams in the WCHA. We need to get into the NCHC. Simply put the caliber of play in the NCHC (Top to bottom) is much better than the WCHA. Much of the season in our league, we can put in a clunker of a period, or even a so so game and still win. Subconsciously, the players know that they don't always have to put in a Grade "A" effort to win games. Then come playoffs and the NCAA, we are over matched, because our strength of schedule is weaker than our opponents, and we are not used to putting in a full 60 minutes of hockey. Our non conference schedule was good (every non conference team we played was in the NCAA), and if those games were at the end of the season, we might have been better prepared.
Finally, why is our arena the most difficult to get into. Do they really have to ask me every time, I enter, if I have any guns on me (one particular security individual asks me every single time that I am unfortunate enough to go through his line)? This year, I went to games in Boston (a much larger city), Marquette, St. Cloud (a larger city), Bemidji, and Sioux Falls (another larger city). Every other facility was much easier to enter, and no long waiting lines.
All in all, I think that we really had a good year, but it is disappointing to lose our last game like we did, and that masks all the good of the season (more wins than any other team in the country).
What do I see next year. We will certainly be contenders for the WCHA. We had an excellent Freshman class and if the incoming class is half as good as this years, we should be able to score. My question is with the goaltending. Pawloski had every chance to win the job this year but couldn't. He seems to be hot and cold, and that won't get us far. Hopefully, one of the incoming goalies will step up and do the job. Without great goaltending, we cannot go far. Our best 2 years ever, we had goalies named Williams and LaCouvee. This is not a coincidence.
Travelling to many out of town games provided me the opportunity to meet many other fans, both Maverick and opposing team fans, and I had great times. Hopefully this will continue next year as I plan to go to North Dakota, Arizona, and a few other WCHA arenas.
They absolutely must get in the NCHC. Looking at the pairwise, the Mavs played the following teams in the WCHA:
57 Alaska 4 times
50 FSU 2 times
51 UAH 4 times
60 UAA 4 times
56 LSSU 2 times
That’s 16 games against teams 50 and lower in the pairwise.
Additionally, BSU was 31 in the pairwise, and the Mavs played them 4 times.
20 games in league play against teams 31 or lower in the pairwise.
In the NCHC, the Mavs would’ve played 0. ZERO teams 31 or lower!!
The lowest rated NCHC team in the pairwise was Miami at 29.
Re: Minnesota State Offseason Thread
I've yet to read a single solid reason Hastings would leave and no comments regarding if he can leave considering the contract he has at Mankato. I posted earlier that he wasn't going to MN and as it turns out he wasn't one of the four interviewed but unknown who's decision that was. I'll say same thing regarding leaving for SCSU as essentially a lateral move to a school that may not be able to pay him (well reported budget issues and decreasing enrollment has lead to cuts in programs) and that he hasn't been connected to for 25 years.
To you that may make sense.
He’s making almost $350,000 a year for the next 8 years here, doesn’t have to uproot his family if he stays, and as I mentioned, the belief is that the Mavs will be in the NCHC in the next 2-4 years. (This could have changed, but was what I was told mid season.) There are a lot of reasons to stay right now, as well.
We ultimately don’t know what he’ll do, but we do know St. Cloud would be foolish not to give him a call.
If Mike leaves Mankato, I think there’s a very good likelihood Todd Knott takes over here in Mankato. I know Mike Guentzel would get the opportunity if he wanted it, too.
I've yet to read a single solid reason Hastings would leave and no comments regarding if he can leave considering the contract he has at Mankato. I posted earlier that he wasn't going to MN and as it turns out he wasn't one of the four interviewed but unknown who's decision that was. I'll say same thing regarding leaving for SCSU as essentially a lateral move to a school that may not be able to pay him (well reported budget issues and decreasing enrollment has lead to cuts in programs) and that he hasn't been connected to for 25 years.