News today from Wild beat writer Michael Russo is that Erik Haula is in contract negotiations with the NHL team.
If and when Haula signs with the Wild, he will be the fourth non-senior to leave the Gophers this offseason, joining Nick Bjugstad (FLA), Nate Schmidt (WAS) and Zach Budish (NSH AHL-affiliate Milwaukee Admirals).
More as the story develops.
Showing posts with label Rumor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rumor. Show all posts
Friday, April 5, 2013
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
More Departure News: Nick Bjugstad Signs; Wild Trade to make room for Haula (?)
Nick Bjugstad has signed with the Florida Panthers today, according to Gopher Hockey.
Bjugstad, a third-team all-WCHA player this season, scored 21 goals and added 15 assists for a total of 36 points, tied for third on the team with Zach Budish and behind Erik Haula and Kyle Rau. Fairly or not, much of this Gopher team's failure to advance beyond the first round of the NCAA tournament rests squarely on Bjugstad's shoulders. The preseason All-American did not come anywhere near those lofty expectations - likewise, this team, which was rated #1 or #2 all season long in the polls, did not live up to its potential. Bjugstad definitely leaves large skates to fill, but his tenure in the maroon and gold may be more a question of "what if" than anything else. Bjugstad will make his NHL debut this Saturday.
In other potential Gopher news, the Minnesota Wild (who own the rights to Erik Haula) have traded prospect Johan Larsson and goalie Matt Hackett for winger Jason Pominville. The Wild have a stacked farm system, which led many to speculate that they may be looking to deal Haula. Instead, perhaps they dealt a prospect from the system to make room for Haula. More as the story develops.
Bjugstad, a third-team all-WCHA player this season, scored 21 goals and added 15 assists for a total of 36 points, tied for third on the team with Zach Budish and behind Erik Haula and Kyle Rau. Fairly or not, much of this Gopher team's failure to advance beyond the first round of the NCAA tournament rests squarely on Bjugstad's shoulders. The preseason All-American did not come anywhere near those lofty expectations - likewise, this team, which was rated #1 or #2 all season long in the polls, did not live up to its potential. Bjugstad definitely leaves large skates to fill, but his tenure in the maroon and gold may be more a question of "what if" than anything else. Bjugstad will make his NHL debut this Saturday.
In other potential Gopher news, the Minnesota Wild (who own the rights to Erik Haula) have traded prospect Johan Larsson and goalie Matt Hackett for winger Jason Pominville. The Wild have a stacked farm system, which led many to speculate that they may be looking to deal Haula. Instead, perhaps they dealt a prospect from the system to make room for Haula. More as the story develops.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Gopher Hockey Rumor Mill: Bjugstad, Schmidt, Haula, Budish (?) Expected to Sign
With the 2012-2013 season officially in the rearview mirror for the Gophers, the team now looks to its next big decision points: the early signing of players from this year's roster.
We already know that Seth Helgeson will not return next season, as the senior used up his four years of eligibility and graduated. Nothing is official yet, but it is all but certain that Nick Bjugstad (FLA) and Erik Haula (MIN) will sign with their professional teams. It's also nearly a foregone conclusion that Nate Schmidt will sign as a free-agent, foregoing his senior season.
An interesting situation to keep an eye on is that of Zach Budish. The redshirt junior and team captain already has his degree from the University, but has indicated that he wants to return for his senior season. However, the coaching staff has apparently indicated that they wouldn't mind if Budish signed with Nashville.
Gopher coach Don Lucia has stated that at the very least the team will be bringing in four new players in forwards Taylor Cammarata, Justin Kloos, Hudson Fasching and defenseman Michael Brodzinksi. Given that, it would make sense that they have been expecting the four players listed above to be exiting the program this offseason.
I, for one, hope Budish is still wearing the maroon and gold next season. As for the other three guys, I think the realistic fan should expect them to be gone and be very, very pleasantly surprised if any of them decide to stick around for another shot at the national title.
We already know that Seth Helgeson will not return next season, as the senior used up his four years of eligibility and graduated. Nothing is official yet, but it is all but certain that Nick Bjugstad (FLA) and Erik Haula (MIN) will sign with their professional teams. It's also nearly a foregone conclusion that Nate Schmidt will sign as a free-agent, foregoing his senior season.
An interesting situation to keep an eye on is that of Zach Budish. The redshirt junior and team captain already has his degree from the University, but has indicated that he wants to return for his senior season. However, the coaching staff has apparently indicated that they wouldn't mind if Budish signed with Nashville.
Gopher coach Don Lucia has stated that at the very least the team will be bringing in four new players in forwards Taylor Cammarata, Justin Kloos, Hudson Fasching and defenseman Michael Brodzinksi. Given that, it would make sense that they have been expecting the four players listed above to be exiting the program this offseason.
I, for one, hope Budish is still wearing the maroon and gold next season. As for the other three guys, I think the realistic fan should expect them to be gone and be very, very pleasantly surprised if any of them decide to stick around for another shot at the national title.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Rumor: Hill Out, Guentzel In as Assistant Coach
The rumor mill is swirling today as multiple sources including the near-ironclad HammyHockey are reporting that John Hill is out as assistant coach for the Gophers and Mike Guentzel is in.
Guentzel, of course, was a stalwart assistant from 1994-2008 for the Maroon and Gold including coaching during the Gophers' back-to-back national championships in 2001-2002 and 2002-2003. Guentzel was let go (some have speculated he was scapegoated and forced out) following the team's poor 2007-2008 performance.
Hill has coached the team ever since the departure of former Gopher assistant and current SCSU head coach Bob Motzko. He is the coach of the defense and is derided by many fans for a comment he made when he claimed the Gophers "don't tell our kids what to do, we encourage them."
An assistant at the University of Nebraska-Omaha last season, Guentzel is known to bleed maroon and gold and formerly coached the defense, where he will likely slide in on the Gopher bench. He coached recent Gopher greats Jordan Leopold, Paul Martin, Keith Ballard and Alex Goligoski into prominent positions in the NHL today.
This move is seen as a boon by many fans who have been discouraged by the poor defensive play over the past four seasons. Many hope Guentzel will be able to provide the coaching expertise necessary to get the Gophers back where they belong - at the top of the WCHA / Big Ten conference and fighting for national championships on a yearly basis.
EDIT: It's official - John Hill will not be returning as assistant coach next season. See this link from GopherSports for the official announcement: http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=38855&SPID=3322&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=205176829
Guentzel, of course, was a stalwart assistant from 1994-2008 for the Maroon and Gold including coaching during the Gophers' back-to-back national championships in 2001-2002 and 2002-2003. Guentzel was let go (some have speculated he was scapegoated and forced out) following the team's poor 2007-2008 performance.
Hill has coached the team ever since the departure of former Gopher assistant and current SCSU head coach Bob Motzko. He is the coach of the defense and is derided by many fans for a comment he made when he claimed the Gophers "don't tell our kids what to do, we encourage them."
An assistant at the University of Nebraska-Omaha last season, Guentzel is known to bleed maroon and gold and formerly coached the defense, where he will likely slide in on the Gopher bench. He coached recent Gopher greats Jordan Leopold, Paul Martin, Keith Ballard and Alex Goligoski into prominent positions in the NHL today.
This move is seen as a boon by many fans who have been discouraged by the poor defensive play over the past four seasons. Many hope Guentzel will be able to provide the coaching expertise necessary to get the Gophers back where they belong - at the top of the WCHA / Big Ten conference and fighting for national championships on a yearly basis.
EDIT: It's official - John Hill will not be returning as assistant coach next season. See this link from GopherSports for the official announcement: http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=38855&SPID=3322&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=205176829
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