Wisconsin Women's Hockey 2025-2026

[robertearle]

There are 6 just on Wisconsin that I would put ahead of her.

It's probably more useful to split it into two parts: how many better 'offensive' defenders, and how many 'stay at home' defenders. Not all that many of the former, LOTS of the latter.

Then let's ask "how many forwards are there better?"

 

[ARM]

It's probably more useful to split it into two parts: how many better 'offensive' defenders, and how many 'stay at home' defenders. Not all that many of the former, LOTS of the latter.

Then let's ask "how many forwards are there better?"

This is a great way to look at it, especially if people consider it thoughtfully, and concede that if she was as bad as some claim at D, then MJ would never, ever let her line up there.

One question about her as an F ... we don't talk about it that much, but how is the defensive side of her game as an F? It isn't like playing all zones is a choice for the Badger forwards. Some say she doesn't skate hard enough to play D, but how do you play wing if you're not willing to go up and down the ice? I think her skating liability is overrated. Her top end speed is fine; if it isn't, that gets to be a bigger issue for an F at the next level. No matter where she plays, she'll like want to improve her quickness (stops and starts) in the coming years. If I compare her to UM's D as you asked, then Laitinen is probably the Gophers best defensive D, and Morrow was their best offensive D this year. The latter's game isn't that different from Edwards. Morrow's skills aren't quite at Edwards' level, but as all have pointed out, she's used to playing D. Would you pick Morrow over Edwards? I'd take Peschel over Edwards at D, but based on Saturday, but that's more about Peschel than Edwards.

 

[BadgerInMN]

I sat right on the glass behind the bench. I didn't see anything like that. They were constantly talking with each other when they would come off the ice, everyone encouraging each other and talking with coaches. Pieckenhagen was up and down the bench multiple times encouraging, even though she didn't get much ice time.

I'll second this. Was at both games early enough for pre-game warmups and they looked like the same fully engaged players and leaders they always have. KK and Simms were good Thursday, Laila looked like she was thinking too much all weekend because, as we know, she is playing D and it isn't natural.

Saturday they just got outplayed by the one team in the country that has been able to go toe to toe with them the last couple years.

I find it rather absurd to question the desire, or suggest egos are running wild, of this group of young women that has given so much and achieved so much in Wisconsin uniforms. If anyone thinks Harvey has gotten what she wanted out of this season and doesn't care about the natty...not sure they've been following along too closely.

They probably are still somewhat fatigued and adjusting back to the real world after a life altering experience halfway across the world. It's always been uncertain just how well they would be able to come back from the Olympics and "turn it back on." The Olympics just throw a wrench in this sport every four years (e.g., we really missed Curl when she redshirted that year).

I really want this class to go out with another title. I'm just an alum and fan, they don't owe it to me. I want it for them and they deserve it. In addition to winning at a high level, they have represented the University tremendously, and everyone from stars like Harvey and Edwards to the role players like Zilisch have gone well out of the way to make my kid and other kids feel like a million bucks.

I'm going to give them some grace rather than overreact to a tough outing. Saturday will dawn and it will once again be A Great Day for Hockey.

 

[Ooftah]

I'll second this. Was at both games early enough for pre-game warmups and they looked like the same fully engaged players and leaders they always have. KK and Simms were good Thursday, Laila looked like she was thinking too much all weekend because, as we know, she is playing D and it isn't natural.

Saturday they just got outplayed by the one team in the country that has been able to go toe to toe with them the last couple years.

I find it rather absurd to question the desire, or suggest egos are running wild, of this group of young women that has given so much and achieved so much in Wisconsin uniforms. If anyone thinks Harvey has gotten what she wanted out of this season and doesn't care about the natty...not sure they've been following along too closely.

They probably are still somewhat fatigued and adjusting back to the real world after a life altering experience halfway across the world. It's always been uncertain just how well they would be able to come back from the Olympics and "turn it back on." The Olympics just throw a wrench in this sport every four years (e.g., we really missed Curl when she redshirted that year).

I really want this class to go out with another title. I'm just an alum and fan, they don't owe it to me. I want it for them and they deserve it. In addition to winning at a high level, they have represented the University tremendously, and everyone from stars like Harvey and Edwards to the role players like Zilisch have gone well out of the way to make my kid and other kids feel like a million bucks.

I'm going to give them some grace rather than overreact to a tough outing. Saturday will dawn and it will once again be A Great Day for Hockey.

I really want this idea of playing loose and with confidence and having fun to actually prevail. But from what I am seeing playing with grit, determination, and with a chip on their shoulders seems to have worked better for TWSNBN through the Olympics period and now through the playoffs. Maybe the lightbulb will come back on for this Badgers squad but the mojo doesn’t seem to be there. I sure hope they get it back before a hot goalie from Quinnipiac, for example, sends us all home early.

 

[davearm]

There are 6 just on Wisconsin that I would put ahead of her.

Crazy talk. The freaking Gold Medal winning Olympic team skated her in their top 4 D. And you're telling me there are 6 better on her own college team.

KK - for sure
Jungles, okay. Their games are polar opposites of course.
Venusio is the only other one i could maaaybe make a case for.
Laney Potter is a no. Way too big a dropoff offensively from Laila to Laney.
The rest, LOL.

 

[robertearle]

Crazy talk. The freaking Gold Medal winning Olympic team skated her in their top 4 D. And you're telling me there are 6 better on her own college team.

KK - for sure
Jungles, okay. Their games are polar opposites of course.
Venusio is the only other one i could maaaybe make a case for.
Laney Potter is a no. Way too big a dropoff offensively from Laila to Laney.
The rest, LOL.

Ava Murphy played on the Canadian U18 team that beat Laila's US team for the championship. You didn't mention her at all.

 

[Timothy A]

Crazy talk. The freaking Gold Medal winning Olympic team skated her in their top 4 D. And you're telling me there are 6 better on her own college team.

KK - for sure
Jungles, okay. Their games are polar opposites of course.
Venusio is the only other one i could maaaybe make a case for.
Laney Potter is a no. Way too big a dropoff offensively from Laila to Laney.
The rest, LOL.

I honestly don't care how offensive a defenseman is. Their number one job is to be defensive. From a pure defensive analysis, she's number seven. I don't think this is a question that can be answered by looking at stats or history. Your eyes is to tell you all you need to know, and Wisconsin fans have seen enough to know. The other thing you're not considering is that you're taking a PK final 3 F from last year and completely tying her hands offensively. In the playoffs, scoring is a at premium. She's a difference maker at F, she's not at defense. There's not one Wisconsin poster who is advocating her playing D. We're just arguing over an apostrophe and a t - can vs can't. Sure she can play D, but MJ can't let her do it.