Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Miss You

Just about every team has a player that could have been on their roster this season, and would have helped their team, but isn't. Here's a look at some of those players.

Denver-Paul Stastny-A more logical pick might have been T.J. Fast or Keith Seabrook, given Denver's lack of depth on defense, but it's hard to argue with a kid who has averaged a point per game in 90 NHL games.

Minnesota-Alex Goligoski-The young Gopher defense has been pretty good so far, but after going 3/11 on the powerplay against RPI, the Gophers are 0 for their last 15 on the powerplay in their last three games. They could use Goligoski running the point on their powerplay.

Alaska-Anchorage-Eric Walsky-Walsky is playing on one of CC's top lines this year. Anchorage has found a great top line of their own, but too much scoring has never been a problem in Anchorage.

Wisconsin-Sam Gagner-Gagner, the 6th overall pick in last summer's draft, had originally committed to Wisconsin before jumping to the OHL. How fun would it have been to watch him on a line with Kyle Turris?

Nebraska-Omaha-Bill Thomas-Thomas would have been a senior this year, and a good season likely would have made him UNO's all-time leading scorer. A less obvious choice would be John Kemp, who is still committed to UNO, but was unable to qualify academically to play college hockey this year. He likely would have been a top playmaker on UNO's team.

Minnesota State-Steve Wagner-After last weekend, it looks like MSU could use Ryan Carter's blast from the right point on the powerplay, but Wagner's 30 minutes of solid defense per night would have been extremely valuable to a team thin on defense.

Michigan-Andrew Cogliano-Kevin Porter and Chad Kolarik could use a speedy playmaker in the mold of T.J. Hensick playing between them while Max Pacioretty adjusts to the college game.

North Dakota-Jonathan Toews-The Sioux don't need much, but having a guy that can this would be fun.

Bowling Green-Jonathan Matsumoto-Josh Unice's departure is becoming a distant memory thanks to pretty good goal play so far from Jimmy Spratt and Nick Eno. BG could have used Matsumoto's offense when they were shutout by Niagara though.

Michigan State-Jim McKenzie-McKenzie's departure wasn't a critical loss, but choices here were limited. McKenzie is a big kid that would have provided some experience and leadership.

St. Cloud-Andrew Gordon- The Huskies miss Gordon's presence on the powerplay.

Ferris State-Dan Riedel-It was Riedel's poor behavior that got him dismissed from the Bulldogs team halfway through last year, which I'm sure FSU doesn't miss, but they also probably do miss the offensive punch he helped deliver.

Minnesota-Duluth-Matt Niskanen-The Bulldogs have recovered nicely from Niskanen's departure. Freshman Evan Oberg has played well, and Trent Palm has taken over as powerplay quarterback, but Niskanen was one of the better defenseman in the WCHA in the second half of last year.

Northern Michigan-Mike Santorelli-Duh.

Alaska-Kyle Greentree- Double duh.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Minnesota Duluth-ummmm, Mason Raymond?

Anonymous said...

Don't you mean Keith Seabrook, not Brent who never played NCAA hockey?

Chris said...

I'm really glad Seabrook left, because I never bothered to learn which one was Keith and which one was Brent.

Anonymous said...

Bowling Green could have used Matsumoto's offense the half-dozen times they were shut out last year (when he was still there) as well but he didn't make any difference then.

Anonymous said...

minnesota could use all the help they can get right now

Anonymous said...

I think UAA is missing Jay beagle more then walsky.

Anonymous said...

Hey, what about Jack MF Johnson....
he was the greatest and earliest recruit ever at U of Mich? His talent and leadership alone, were going to bring Holy Grail to Ann Arbor.
But hey, Red got an endowment scholarship out of it. pretty good trade off for a cheap shot artist, basically a bust.

Anonymous said...

Lake State will really miss second team All CCHA defenseman Derek Smith, who signed early with Ottawa and is now seeing action in the AHL. The Lakers finally have some offensive talent, and Inglis looks ready to play, but the blueline is really green.

Moe said...

WMU, Mark Letestu. He only led the nation in scoring among rookies only to sign with Pittsburgh at the end of last year. Something tells me he'll be missed.

Anonymous said...

Jack Skille?

Anonymous said...

I would take Gagner over Skille in a heartbeat (and I like Skille). Pavelski would have been a senior as Earl would have been. Can't begrudge Pavs as he made the NHl on a darn good team, while Earl toils in the AHL for a shit team.

Anonymous said...

I have not seen Sam Gagner play but I think Skille would be a more substantial player for the Badgers this year than Gagner. Much more experienced and he would have been poised to really make a huge impact for the Badgers this season. Leadership would be a factor as well in Skille's favor.

Of course we will never know regarding either player. Too bad, college hockey suffers because of the need for the NHL to rush players in too early and at the same time rid themselves of high priced veterans.

Too bad more top end players don't appear to place much value on completing their educations and developing themselves beyond the confines of a hockey rink. A hockey career can end in the blink of an eye.

Many of these players are being shortchanged by too many people that don't really have the best interests of the players in mind. Just my $.02

Anonymous said...

rr, again I don't want to knock Skille as he certainly would have helped the Badgers this year, but Gagner is the leading scorer for Edmonton in the NHL (1 goal and 6 assists in 8 games) while Skille plays for Rockford in the AHL. Gagner was the MVP of the Super Series with Russia (instead of Turris who also had a very good series) and was a star in the last WJC tourney.

Anonymous said...

Hard to argue with the early season success of Gagner, so far. It is pretty safe to say however that the college game is poorer for the loss of these two players and for that matter all of the players Chris has highlighted.

Anonymous said...

There was a constant refrain from Becky fans about how dominating Skille was going to be. It just never showed up in the box score. I'm sure the injury last year as well as the over all talent level at Sconnie didn't help.

Anonymous said...

toews will be wearing a C in 2-3 years, then feeding sid the kid while the great one watches from the press box in the olympics

Anonymous said...

Yeah Choker fans, just like Erik Johnson was suppose to be the second coming of Chris Pronger!! LOL!!!! I guess when your team hangs you out to dry like that and when your coach has no clue in how to use him, I guess I would have left too. Erik Johnson might go down as one of the worst #1's ever. What else do you expect when you draft a Gopher?

Anonymous said...

For UW Gagner no doubt. The Badgers have enough "power foward" type guys. They are not the ability of Skille, but its not something the team really lacks: physical play. What they need more of is a more top end proven finesse kind a guy that's a great setup guy and a proven goal scorer. It's pretty remarkable that Gagner might turn out being better Turris and that both of them would be playing together right now probably on the same line. I think they would have put up gawdier numbers than the Toews-Oshie-Duncan line.

Anonymous said...

Well Johnson was always going to be one and done. He helped hang the two WCHA banners last season. The only other banner went to the CCHA.

Since EJ is still under twenty I think it's a little early to be calling him a bust. But don't let that interfere with your paint thinner logic.