Glory

[bigpieps]

I'd like for you to go back and read my post titled A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the ForumIn it, I talk about how, earlier in the year, I question the Gophers and their incoming freshmen talent and how they can carry the team. I ponder whether or not the freshmen will be able to carry the team (basically

Comments

[jonnymachinegun]

It's hard to win in college hockey with two seniors. It's hard to win when one of your assistant captains gets thrown off the team for being a jerk, the other is the goalie, and your captain's only leadership intangible is that he's one of the oldest two guys on the team. And it's hard to win when your top two scorers are freshmen.

The team is the very picture of a team that's running out of gas, that's simply too young and inexperienced to be able to play their best in big games. It's the dark side of the "we don't rebuild, we reload" mentality - ultimately, you're left with promising freshmen and third-line forwards, and that's it.

[bigpieps]

what's the cure then?

[collins1118]

Getting kids to stay four years?

[bigpieps]

will someone like eric johnson, okposo, barribal...even stay 3 years? 2?

[collins1118]

Johnson - No. Probably gone after this year.
Okposo - No. Maybe 2.
Barriball - Yes. He's small, he'll stay 4.

[bigpieps]

What are your thoughts of Blake Wheeler? I know he scored this weekend...but looks as if he hasn't done much lately...is he like Mike Doyle...or is he really ready to break out? I thought he was much better last season.

Will Frazee stay all 4? Briggs is gone...so I can assume Jeff will wanna stay for next season...

Are you worried, as Jon is, that the freshmen are relied on too much? Or about upperclassmen leadership? YOu stayed out of the uscho thread (and who can blame you)...so I don't really know your opinion on these types of matters.

[jonnymachinegun]

My thoughts on Blake Wheeler: he's the new Barry Tallackson. Big, tall, long reach, looks like he could be the next Thomas Vanek, plays more like the next Pat O'Leary.

What I'm worried about is this: the Gophers have had a glut of guys who have been either good role players, or freshmen that are not long for college hockey. The past couple of years they have been short on the Grant Potulny / Troy Riddle / Judd Stevens / Jon Waibel (I could name a ton of guys here) that aren't the type to go pro early, but stick around, get better every year, and develop into great college players.

[collins1118]

Frazee will stay at least one more. Wheeler is Barry Tallackson. There's nothing in his game that says he's ready to jump.

The sole reason this team has more than 3 losses this sesaon is a lack of Ryan Potulny and Danny Irmen. Those two were the leaders on and off the ice. WiIthout them, all the pressure is on the freshmen and a couple sophomores, none of whom can handle it. They've hit the wall, and they need to pick up speed right fucking now.