It's just over two weeks until the early signing period opens up, which raises some questions as to how the Badgers will proceed. With Seamus, Tischke, Johnson, Freytag, Zirbel, and Bunz graduating plus Ranta not coming in, I'd think the Badgers could ink up to 5 players on max scholarships, or perhaps more with some partial rides. Obviously they want to sign Turcotte and Caufield right away, but after that there are questions. Personally I think Owen Lindmark will be signed as well. If Aleksi Peltonen is coming in, it would seem to be next year as he turns 21 in June, although I'd think he's on a minimum deal. After that there are 5 more F's that could be eligible to sign, De Saint Phalle is probably the flashiest of the group that includes Almquist, Stevens, Bohlin, and Helgeson. So that totals 9 F's eligible for what is likely to be six total spots. I think 3 are taken by the NTDP guys, leaving 3 for the remaining 6. Question is do they sign any now or wait until spring to see who develops the best over the year? And if they do wait on some of these guys, do they risk a situation like with Cruikshank, where a good player looks elsewhere when he isn't offered in the early signing period?
On D it's almost a certainty that they have to bring in two. That could easily turn into 3 or 4 depending on Kalynuk's and Miller's year. If Kalynuk has a great year, it may very well be his last, and Miller, as a 1st round pick, is going to be at risk to sign no matter how his year goes. La Master has yet to play a USHL game as he's been injured, (don't know the details) and Vorlicky will be playing he senior year at Edina. Brady Smith is a good albeit undersized player, but at the higher levels he's struggled to show any of the dominant offensive talent he displayed as a Bantam. So do they ink any of these guys early? I don't know. Still begging for Cam York as he would be a perfect fit for the Badgers situation. No idea if we're even in the running though.
So this is the situation: 5 full scholarships at least, 3 I think will probably go to the NTDP players, but what will they do with the others? Sit and wait, or lock in a few of the remaining 12 options, and if so, which ones?