Congratulations to Trent Frederic for embarking on his pro career. Sorry to see him go, seems like we were just getting to know him and he's gone. Such is college hockey life since the CBA changed. So long and thanks for all the goals, Freddy. Always a Badger.
At this point I think Mersch, Messner, and Ranta are the only NLI signed F's we're certain about. I'd venture Peltonen is almost certainly not coming in. Caufield may seem likely, but I wonder... Frederic was on as close to a full ride as you can get and Caufield probably isn't slated for the same money so you could put him off and bring him in with his brother next year. Other options would be any of a couple of high scoring Euro's, or Mathieu De St. Phalle, a bigger playmaker, is playing top line wing for Omaha, '99 born Roman Ahcan is playing 2nd line wing for Cedar Rapids, Jack Gorniak out of West Salem has been ranked in the 50's by Central Scouting, and Ben Almquist, another '99 who had 56 points in 25 games for Holy Family Catholic could all possibly accelerate.
A problem next year is now we're short of Centers. Malone, Baker, and Zirbel are the only natural centers coming back and the 3 freshman F's are all wings. Top 6 is maybe Ranta -Malone -Weissbach and Zimmer -Baker-Johnson. I liked how Freytag and Zimmer came on toward the end of the year, Dhooghe's a question mark, could play anywhere top to bottom. Mersch can score goals so I wouldn't be surprised to see him anywhere either. Messner would make a good 3rd line wing, too. It's going to be interesting... Spring signing is in the second week of April I think.
Now if only the Wild would be cleansed. 
