I would think that probably outside of Mersch, Zengerle, and Kerdiles, (assuming they are all back and healthy) Cracking the top six for anyone is going to be a challenge. Barnes, Labate, and Woods played pretty well for the most part the second half but there's no guarantee for anyone. Zulinick will want a spot, and while I don't know that many folks think of Jefferson Dahl as a top six guy, the boys are going to have to work to keep him out of there as well. He was very consistent all year, showed flashes, his intangibles are very high, and he sees the ice as well as anyone. Maybe he isn't seen as having as big of upside as some of the other kids, but hard work over the summer combined with his experience and who knows where he'll fit in the mix? Hopefully the Badgers will have guys deserving of top six spots in the top nine, and deserving top nine guys outside there as well. Great problem to have if it materializes.
Bottom line is, every single one of these guys has to get better. Every one. McCabe needs to reach his star potential. Guys need to be Hobey candidates. And the guys currently down the totem pole need to challenge. Right now if you are on the roster (or will be in the fall) you do have a chance to play a significant role next year. That includes Meuer, Pappe, Navin and the new guys. It's going to depend on how hard they work and how much they can improve themselves between now and next October.
