Wisconsin Badgers 2026 Offseason

[MavsFan]

I think it's going to hurt the developer type programs and help the Michigan's, MSU, Denver, Nodak, even BC / BU versus Wisconsin. Another adjustment Hastings will have to make.

I think it's absolutely going to hurt a program like Minnesota State. B1G and NCHC are likely to pick off the vast majority of blue-chip high-school kids who are capable of playing D1 hockey right away. MSU has relied on getting late bloomers out of junior A. That won't be a feasible business model anymore.

 

[GoBucky18]

I think it's absolutely going to hurt a program like Minnesota State. B1G and NCHC are likely to pick off the vast majority of blue-chip high-school kids who are capable of playing D1 hockey right away. MSU has relied on getting late bloomers out of junior A. That won't be a feasible business model anymore.

While it's concerning, nothing has been truly decided yet. I just hope the NCAA realizes that hockey is really a diff't sport and if you want a decent product on the ice, you have to allow for some caviat for when the clock starts. That assumes they would care though (I'm not holding my breath). A couple additional thoughts:

1) Major Jrs age out at 21, under proposed new model, they'd still get 2yrs of eligibility. I somewhat think this was a way for NCAA to limit influence of Major Jrs, but unless kids are all in on school, they were "hired guns" anyway. The best CHL players that aren't ready for NHL/AHL probably want to up their free agent stock in the NCAA (BIG/NCHC/HE) rather than languish in the ECHL/play overseas and not get any vis. I don't really think that changes.

2) Failure by the NCAA to realize probably less than 10% of HS graduating seniors are ready for NCAA D1 hockey other than NTDP players and actually takes options away from kids.

3) I don't see any of the CCHA/AHA schools really competing for the top young players under a new system like is proposed and will have to rely on transfer portal/CHL players to put together their roster each year. Sad.

4) I'm hoping against hope that if they do 5yr chunks, they at least say 5yrs from the 19th birthday (Sept 1 or Aug 1 cutoff) OR from date of high school graduation. That way it covers the FB/BB folks, and allows for a cple years of jr hockey devlopment from 17-19. That way if you're 19 on Sept 2nd, it allows for an additional year.

 

[Timothy A]

For what it's worth, college puck NXT has the Wisconsin freshman class ranked 11th in the country. Michigan State 1 Michigan 3 Minnesota 9

 

[GoBucky18]

For what it's worth, college puck NXT has the Wisconsin freshman class ranked 11th in the country. Michigan State 1 Michigan 3 Minnesota 9

At the end of the day, if it's possible that hockey can get the reprieve by the NCAA for the clock to start at 19, and the juniors system is saved, I think that Hastings now has in place the ability to develop everyone he needs to for us to have great recruiting classes but it not matter if it's ranked #1 or #20. Anything in that middle I will defer to the coaching staff that they have the guys they want/need to be successful.

 

[Timothy A]

At the end of the day, if it's possible that hockey can get the reprieve by the NCAA for the clock to start at 19, and the juniors system is saved, I think that Hastings now has in place the ability to develop everyone he needs to for us to have great recruiting classes but it not matter if it's ranked #1 or #20. Anything in that middle I will defer to the coaching staff that they have the guys they want/need to be successful.

I agree, but I like to look at things in perspective. It never hurts to have "experts" like your incoming class. If the class was unranked, I will admit I'd be slightly apprehensive. The portal eases the angst as long as you get a guy or 2 who can produce now.

 

[WiscTJK]

MSU will have likely 8 -10 #1 draft picks on their team this fall. Wow. That will be the true test of these high fire power teams that honestly haven't gotten it done in the playoffs.

The newest guy, Ethan Belchetz is 6'-5", 227 and likely first round pick in 26 draft.

I am truly worried if Wisconsin can contend in this environment. I just don't see how many of the CCHA teams and others like that can compete.

 

[Timothy A]

I am truly worried if Wisconsin can contend in this environment. I just don't see how many of the CCHA teams and others like that can compete.

With single elimination playoffs I'm not worried at all. The nhl draft is based on potential, not in the moment performance. McKenna wasn't an omg player. On paper the MI teams should destroy everyone. They didn't destroy us last year.