I'm more with David; as the team, despite all the injuries and meltdowns, should be comfortably in the NCAA tournament. Michigan hockey has given away maybe 6 wins?! If they land only half they are a 2 / 3 seed.
That said, I agree with Brian that this is the way the hockey puck bounces without greater analytics detail which will not happen for a long time for a niche sport like college hockey.
Very interesting chatter with OHL and NCAA detente. Hard to argue against being a positive for the players with professional hockey not an option for a great majority and they can earn a college degree. I would think Michigan would be net neutral because the elite players they recruit would have more incentive to play Canada juniors but the academics / prestige factor could help with those aging out of OHL.
Excellent column, hopefully an inspired charge in 2024. Maybe steal a big ten tournament championship for 3 in a row and sneak into a 2 seed for the NCAA tournament if everything goes well.
Qualifying for the NCAA tournament is how I am realistically measuring success this season.
Impressed that Alex was so into the Game that he had to sit out the last drive. Full emotional investment!
And...nice weekend for the hockey team, at this point, I'm all about playing spoiler to Michigan State and just getting a 3 or 4 seed in the NCAA tournament.
Big Ten is wide open with Michigan State beating Wisconsin last night.
Injuries could change Michigan's outlook but before the latest challenges with forwards, they played well and should have at least split against Minnesota and Wisconsin. If top 6 forwards and another defensemen are out for an extended period, Michigan could be fortunate to make the NCAA tournament with no banners this season.
They really could be a few coin flips away from going for a 4th consecutive victory off a sweep in Madison and handling the Gophers at home. Michigan needs to find a way to close out games and rack up some points before a NCAA tournament berth (let alone a Big Ten championship) gets out of reach
Losing points but would probably chock it up to having young teams.
Big shame that lacking a 5th / 6th defensemen is the culprit of several goals conceded
I was watching the games on the laptop with football on the TV. It was sports overload with the Red Wings also conflicting. Hopefully Michigan can tune it up and make a run.
His world juniors camp in the summer was outrageous. No doubt he can get there but his skating doesn't seem as noticeable as during last July. If he drives play on the first or second line, Michigan can be dangerous
Getting nervous about Michigan but too early for panic button. The defensive depth is severely tested and another few months until Edwards is back (hopefully Duke can play against his former team)
Glorious content! Michigan will be in a tough environment in a wide open conference. Lots of talent yet each team in the Big 10 has questions. We will find out if Naurato and his staff have answers.
There may not be top 4 NHL talent but Michigan looks to have depth. Without proven goaltending, Naurato may emphasize some defensive responsibility this season
Recent Comments
Good luck…
Laughed at dugout
Good luck Dug!
Great summary! Will be referring to it this weekend.
I suppose Michigan winning big ten tournament with a Quinnipiac loss is the only way to sneak into the top ten (and maybe last 2 seed).
Great data crunching! Thank you
Outstanding feature, will be channel surfing between Michigan / Notre Dame and hoping the Wolverines get some bounces
Thank you!
Said it to my wife and on the board last week
White knuckle hockey continues! Go blue!
Michigan Denver first round NCAA matchup would be glorious
Much more if Michigan wins
Nice back and forth hockey chatter
I'm more with David; as the team, despite all the injuries and meltdowns, should be comfortably in the NCAA tournament. Michigan hockey has given away maybe 6 wins?! If they land only half they are a 2 / 3 seed.
That said, I agree with Brian that this is the way the hockey puck bounces without greater analytics detail which will not happen for a long time for a niche sport like college hockey.
White knuckle hockey continues!
Let's ride!
Split in…
Great pod!
Split in Minneapolis and then win the quarterfinal and should be enough for a 3 or 4 seed.
Love the point about our defense corps
If we can't roll three attacking type forward lines, the similar talent from of backend isn't equal to the scenarios needed to for this team to win.
Smoke em' if…
Great podcast
Smoke em' if you got them, buckle in for must win hockey rest of the way
Outstanding! Thank you for the column. Every game matters for Michigan hockey and appreciate the rooting guide
Outstanding column, thank you for the contribution!
Back to early Pearson, we are white knuckling a NCAA tournament berth.
Not sure if Michigan State's success will be sustainable but it looks like their year. They were the better team last weekend.
Gut check time for Naurato and the team, hopefully find a way to sweep Penn State and then on to Notre Dame and Minnesota. Need to keep winning
Very interesting chatter with OHL and NCAA detente. Hard to argue against being a positive for the players with professional hockey not an option for a great majority and they can earn a college degree. I would think Michigan would be net neutral because the elite players they recruit would have more incentive to play Canada juniors but the academics / prestige factor could help with those aging out of OHL.
Watch a long vote here too!
These…
Great column
These features have been great.
Great diary! Always love the King hockey content!
2.5…
Three steps forward
2.5 steps back. We're on to Wisconsin
Beautiful, thank you for sharing
Great addition, depth is welcome and Michigan already has some great options
Loved the…
Outstanding pod!
Loved the Michigan players in professional hockey chatter. Go Blue and hopefully a big second half for a NCAA tournament berth
Still not quite believing in Wisconsin or Michigan State but the second half Big Ten gauntlet beckons!
Like…
Great columns
Like Michigan finding a way to qualify after their stars won gold and appear healthy for the second half run!
What an experience! Happy you went
Excellent column, hopefully an inspired charge in 2024. Maybe steal a big ten tournament championship for 3 in a row and sneak into a 2 seed for the NCAA tournament if everything goes well.
Qualifying for the NCAA tournament is how I am realistically measuring success this season.
Impressed that Alex was so into the Game that he had to sit out the last drive. Full emotional investment!
And...nice weekend for the hockey team, at this point, I'm all about playing spoiler to Michigan State and just getting a 3 or 4 seed in the NCAA tournament.
Big Ten is wide open with Michigan State beating Wisconsin last night.
Injuries could change Michigan's outlook but before the latest challenges with forwards, they played well and should have at least split against Minnesota and Wisconsin. If top 6 forwards and another defensemen are out for an extended period, Michigan could be fortunate to make the NCAA tournament with no banners this season.
Agree with…
Great pod!
Agree with Michigan needing to bank some points, need some results to stay relevant in Big 10.
Another frustrating result for Michigan
They really could be a few coin flips away from going for a 4th consecutive victory off a sweep in Madison and handling the Gophers at home. Michigan needs to find a way to close out games and rack up some points before a NCAA tournament berth (let alone a Big Ten championship) gets out of reach
Losing points but…
Great pod!
Losing points but would probably chock it up to having young teams.
Big shame that lacking a 5th / 6th defensemen is the culprit of several goals conceded
I was watching the games on the laptop with football on the TV. It was sports overload with the Red Wings also conflicting. Hopefully Michigan can tune it up and make a run.
Wisconsin resurgence is impressive. I live in Milwaukee and wish I was able to head west to Madison to check out the series. Go Blue!
Nazar has not popped yet as I figured he would
His world juniors camp in the summer was outrageous. No doubt he can get there but his skating doesn't seem as noticeable as during last July. If he drives play on the first or second line, Michigan can be dangerous
Surprised that Minnesota is still the class of college hockey. Hopefully Michigan can still have their number this season.
Thank you for the hockey content!
Getting…
Great podcast
Getting nervous about Michigan but too early for panic button. The defensive depth is severely tested and another few months until Edwards is back (hopefully Duke can play against his former team)
ESPN Plus engaged! Let's see it Yzerplan Actualized
Love the national look at comparable Michigan programs.
Great NHL overview too
Outstanding work as always!
…
These are so great.
Thanks again!
welcome back…
Love these
welcome back Nick!
great work Raj!
When my wife and I started dating, I bought her a copy of Catch-22 because it’s my one of my favorites too.
About 10 years later, I still can’t get her to admit she never opened the copy.
Great summary of the conference and enjoy as always the detail for Michigan.
Go Blue and hopefully another great season (dare to dream for 3 consecutive frozen fours in a tough Big Ten?!)
I would…
Covered in podcast
I would guess addressed formally in the season preview column
Glorious content! Michigan will be in a tough environment in a wide open conference. Lots of talent yet each team in the Big 10 has questions. We will find out if Naurato and his staff have answers.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Michigan is banking on Nazar and most of the returning talent as limited top tier scoring talent looks to be available.
Veteran leaps from existing players will have to eclipse 5 star / first round pick future Calder candidates this season
I'm taking the opposite view
There may not be top 4 NHL talent but Michigan looks to have depth. Without proven goaltending, Naurato may emphasize some defensive responsibility this season
Say it all the time and will say it again, great column.
Learn a little more about football with each click
I'm…
Outstanding explanation
I'm a football novice and learned a lot
Outstanding article again--love the historical call backs and comparison with Portillo
These are always so good. Thank you
Love the recap and assessment of Michigan's schedule
Pours one out for draft-a-geddon
The content…
Great article
The content avalanche is amazing