9 Thoughts: Projected UMD Lines 2024-25

When it comes to this now-annual exercise, there have been easier seasons. With an influx of young talent, this is a challenging depth chart to draw up.

The normal disclosures: This is for entertainment purposes only, and is simply my opinion. I do not consult with the coaching staff before giving it a whirl, so when I say it’s my opinion, it’s strictly that.

So let’s get at it and break down this roster.

9 THOUGHTS

1. We begin with the forwards.

Have a look.

2. None of this was easy. Here were some of my thought processes.

I placed the centers first. In doing so, the only easy decision was putting James in the 1C slot, one that felt virtually vacant after his season-ending injury in October. UMD had hard-working, capable centers, but the Bulldogs lacked that reliable, faceoff-winning top option.

James returning fixes that, but it doesn’t leave the position without questions.

3. With Cole Spicer not returning (best wishes to him), deciding who would center the second line was a key spot. Last year, we walked in the door and learned that Perkins, who was not a center, was going to play in the middle. Soon after, of course, that became a necessity, but I’m not sold that it was the long-term plan.

Perkins told me in June he’d play wherever (not many players wouldn’t say that, but I had to ask). But I believe that if Spicer had returned after Christmas last season, Perkins would have played more wing than center in the second half. That departure, combined with James’ injury and other absences UMD would incur along the way, basically forced the coaches’ hands on Perkins.

With a full boat to start this campaign, I’m of the belief Perkins will play wing, provided someone can play center on the second line.

Enter Zam Plante. It’s a guess, but I think he’s the more center-ready of the brothers, and he’s probably the most center-ready of the incoming freshmen.

This is a fun exercise, but again it’s just a guess, so we’ll see what things look like as the season gets closer.

4. In placing the wings, I put Shaugabay on the top line because I like his potential with the pace James and Perkins can play the game with. Putting Max Plante with Zam Plante feels almost too easy, but we know the duo has chemistry, and we know Scott Sandelin is a fan of not overthinking things when he’s presented players who have this kind of chemistry (see: “Iafallo, Alex/Toninato, Dominic”).

If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work, but I think we’re going to see the Plante boys on the ice quite a bit together. And it’s a lot more likely to work than not.

Bettens gives the brothers a size element on the right wing, but he’s also a player who can bring some pace to his game.

5. Sandelin has plenty of options for his bottom six, and the competition for playing time should be fierce. You’ve got three older freshmen in Arnott, Bentz, and Bechen (Arnott is the most experienced of the three), a reliable senior in Loney, graduate transfer Molenaar, constant sparkplug Menghini, a guy like Smith who will be a fixture on the penalty kill, and Stachowiak, a late addition who comes in off a strong season for Minot.

That penalty kill will play a factor in lineup decisions. Yes, guys in the top six can and often do kill. But the way this lineup is configured, it feels like a really safe bet that the bottom six is going to have some killers. Menghini, Smith, and Loney have a lot of experience there, after all.

6. Here’s a look at the defense. This isn’t cake, but it also wasn’t as tough as the forwards.

7. With how they finished the season, it’s safe to say Pionk and Dubinsky have the makings of a top defensive pair.

I placed Kleber and Hanson on their natural sides, but it wouldn’t shock me if one of these defensemen was asked to play on his off-side.

Bodnarchuk and Pierce are two more accomplished penalty killers, so they could find themselves up the depth chart if there are struggles in that area. As for Francis, I just don’t know what to expect, and it’s hard to place him somewhere with all the time he’s missed. Hopefully he’s healthy, because he can bring some size, snarl, and personality to this team that I think would be really helpful.

8. Finally, we have the goalies, and UMD has a new No. 1 there for the first time in a little bit.

I think Gajan’s pedigree coming in gives him the inside track on the No. 1 spot, but Sandy and Knapp will push for time. It wouldn’t shock me one bit if all three goalies played, depending on how the competition plays out as we get into September.

Also keep in mind: I suck at evaluating goalies. Basically, I trust the opinions of others because — more than any other position — I have no idea what I’m watching with the goalies. Sorry.

9. Couple programming notes before we go. NCHC Media Day is Sept. 12 in St. Paul. My radio show (10am-11am on KDAL) will be live from Xcel Energy Center that day with four player guests, including James.

While there, we also will talk to the eight NCHC coaches who aren’t Sandelin, along with NCHC Director of Officiating Mike Schmitt. Those interviews will be taped and run back as September rolls on and the season approaches.

Before Media Day, we’ll have the preseason poll, and I’ll take a crack at predicting the league standings, which has been a really bad day for me the last couple years. Maybe redemption is in the offing (probably not).

The blog likely won’t return until then, barring major news. Looking forward to seeing how wrong this depth chart is. If past performance is indicative, this will be very wrong. As usual, they know more than we do.

A lot more.