Johnson Highlights Vikings Draft

The Vikings were not expected to make a splash in the 2008 draft after being stripped of 1st and 3rd round picks in the Jared Allen trade. But they did their best to make some noise when they moved up in the 2nd round to nab Arkansas State safety Tyrell Johnson with the 43rd overall pick. Johnson was a fast-rising safety who some had sneaking into the 1st round and brings a solid set of skills to the table for the Vikings. He will play apprentice to both Madieu Williams and Darren Sharper in 2008 and could be the heir apparent to Sharper at strong safety, which could come soon considering Sharper's contract is up after the 2008 season and he turns 33 in November. Johnson is the type of versatile safety with ball skills that the Vikings covet and he will have time to learn the position playing behind a couple talented veterans. For this year he will add some solid depth to a defense that is shaping up quite nicely and may be needed to fill in at times given Williams fairly lengthy injury history.

The big name of the draft class is John David Booty, who was at the helm for Southern California the past two seasons. Booty brings experience in the West Coast offense, which the Trojans employed, and an accurate arm that bodes well for the system. His arrival likely means the end of the road for Brooks Bollinger in Minnesota and if Tarvaris Jackson struggles in 2008 Booty may be the favorite to start in 2009. The Vikings also brought in talented but enigmatic defensive tackle Letroy Guion from Florida State, along with center John Sullivan from Notre Dame and wide receiver Jaymar Johnson from Jackson State. The Vikings do not have many roster spots available, so late round picks will have their work cut out for them if they are going to make the team, especially given the amount of undrafted free agents the team signed immediately following the draft.

Liriano Sent Down

Expectations for Francisco Liriano's 2008 season were generally tempered as he tried to work his way back from 2006's Tommy John surgery. But nobody expected a start this shaky, especially considering that 18 months between the surgery and the start of this season was ample time for his arm to return to health. After failing to get out of the 1st inning on Thursday afternoon Liriano was sent to Rochester in favor of right-handed reliever Bobby Korecky. In three starts, Liriano struggled mightily with his control, walking 13 in 10 1/3 innings en route to posting an 11.32 ERA. His velocity was also down in the high-80's to mid-90's range and he simply did not have command of his pitches. Considering the Twins are looking to alter his mechanics, early struggles are no real surprise, but the lack of pop on his fastball and the reluctance to throw his slider are bad signs as he works his way back. The slider was the pitch that set him apart during his epic 2006 run and was virtually unhittable at times. It is understandable that he and the Twins both would like to cut back on the use of the slider but at this point his other stuff is not strong enough to thrive without it. Francisco will have a chance to straighten things out in Triple-A, where he started the year with several uninspiring outings. Nobody expected to see the 2006 version of Liriano this season but such discouraging outings out of the gate beg the question of how much he will be able to contribute this year. If he can regain the life on his fastball and refine his change-up, he should be able to settle into the back of the rotation, or at the very least work his way back in Rochester in hopes of breaking into the 2009 Twins rotation. With no need for a 5th starter for a couple weeks, Korecky will work in relief until the Twins get a fully healthy Kevin Slowey back in the rotation.

With Michael Cuddyer scheduled to come off the DL, the Twins also sent down outfield Denard Span. Span was better than expected during his first stint in the bigs. He showed decent plate discipline and hit .276 during his trip to the MLB. But his punch and judy style of hitting was a liability every time the Twins started him in right field. His .276 slugging percentage was merely unacceptable at a position where offense is a must. Cuddyer will likely step back into the 3-spot which moves Mauer back to 2 and balances out the entire lineup, hopefully giving it a spark as the team moves into the second month.

Royce White Commits To Gophers

Already armed with a Top-20 class for 2008, Tubby Smith added his first piece to the 2009 class this week when Hopkins junior forward Royce White committed to the program. White is rated by Rivals as a Top 40 prospect for 2009 and has seen his stock steadily rise for the past year. He played his first three years at DeLaSalle before being expelled from school for reasons unbeknown to the public, forcing a transfer to Hopkins, the likely 2009 state champions.

The addition of White is another example of the quick turnaround that Tubby has orchestrated. Dan Monson was able to attain some top in-state talent, but it was usually after they transferred back to Minnesota for various reasons and most underperformed under Monson's watch. Tubby has pieced together a talented and versatile class and has put Minnesota back on the map as a desirable place to play basketball. The 2008 class is highlighted by three Top-150 players in Ralph Sampson III, Devoe Joseph, and Colton Iverson, and a fourth, Verdell Jones, may soon make his intentions known as he decides between the Gophers, Arizona, and Kentucky.

Vikings Get Their Man

After months of hopelessly searching for an impact defensive end, the Minnesota Vikings finally found one when they shipped three draft picks, including their first rounder, to the Chiefs for 2007's NFL sack leader Jared Allen. Allen posted 15 1/2 sacks and forced 3 fumbles in 14 games in 2007 and has tallied 43 sacks in his four year career. At 26, Allen still has plenty of football ahead of him and makes the Vikings defensive line one of the more dominant units in football. His presence finally gives the Vikings an elite pass rushing end, a pivotal component in the Cover-2 defense, and with Kevin and Pat Williams eating up blockers in the middle of the line Allen should have ample room to roam free on the outside. The Vikings are now without 1st and 3rd round picks but still have six picks overall, with the first coming in the 2nd round, the 47th overall pick. Allen fills the huge void at defensive end with Ray Edwards, Brian Robison, and Jayme Mitchell all competing for the job across from him. The Vikings could go in many directions with their 2nd round pick, but an Offensive Tackle or Tight End appear to be the most likely routes. After having arguably one of the better offseasons in the league, the Vikings will enter 2008 as a sexy favorite to take the Favre-less NFC North and have the talent to compete for the NFC Crown if Tarvaris Jackson is merely competent.

Potential Roster Turnover

The 2007-2008 Wild campaign came to an unceremonious end on Saturday night, as the Avalanched closed out the series in six games with a 2-1 victory. The Wild were ultimately done in by untimely mistakes, a hot Avs goaltender, and a rash of injuries that exposed the team's lack of depth. After entering the postseason appearing as poised as ever for a deep playoff run, the team bowed out in the first round for a second consecutive year and now faces an offseason of uncertainty. The Wild have numerous key free agents and superstar Marian Gaborik could be at the heart of trade talks as he enters the last year of his contract. The roster could be in store for an overhaul and the personnel turnover may start at the top.



Doug Risebrough
-The organization has already seen an ownership change this year and a new General Manager may be next. Risebrough is a rumored candidate for the vacant Maple Leafs GM position and the Leafs are pushing hard to make some changes this offseason. Risebrough has played a large role in building the current squad and he does deserve a good amount of credit for getting the organization to where it is. When compared to their expansion partner, the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Wild have been a model franchise, appearing in the postseason three times including a Western Conference finals run in 2003. The Wild have had a solid core for several years and should maintain that for the foreseeable future, but building around that core has been an issue. The team has often taken on bargain projects to fill holes and given huge contracts to players such as Kim Jonsson and Mark Parrish, both of whom have failed to live up to their price tags. Risebrough has failed to put the right pieces around the team's stars, specifically in getting a center who can get Gaborik the puck. While Risebrough has done some good things for the organization, I do not think people would be too broken up about it if he took the Leafs job, as his conservative nature and questionable draft record have seemingly stagnated the Wild when compared to much of the Western Conference.

Pavol Demitra
-Acquired in 2006 for a first round pick and star prospect Patrick O'Sullivan, Demitra was believed to be one of the final pieces in pushing the Wild amongst the West's elite. He came with a lengthy injury history, but when he was on the ice he was a steady point producer, and his friendship with fellow countryman Marian Gaborik was supposed to make the Wild star happy in the locker room. Two years later, Demitra becomes an unrestricted free agent, and despite the relatively low price tag he had for his first two years, the Wild are unlikely to throw big dollars Pavol's way. Demitra still showed up on the scoresheet but often disappeared for long stretches while playing center as opposed to his natural position of wing. He also missed his share of games, including missing a tilt in 2006 due to soreness of all things. If the sides part ways it may be a mutual decision as rumors of Demitra being unhappy in Jacque Lemaire's system have floated around for awhile now. Pavol helped take the team to a new level but it is clear at this point he probably won't help them go much farther.

Brian Rolston
-Signed before the lockout, Rolston has proved to be a bargain at only 2.5 million a year. The veteran winger has scored 30+ goals in all three of his seasons with the Wild and has become a team leader as well as a fan favorite. Rolston is sure to be looking for a raise this time around, and despite being 35, he has shown no signs of declining and the team has nobody ready to step in and match his production. With a roster that could be fairly young next season, the Wild could use a reliable veteran like Rolston, if he wants to stay in Minnesota. It is believed the Wild will only be able to keep one of the Rolston/Demitra duo and despite being two years older, Rolston would be my choice for the team to re-sign.

Pierre-Marc Bouchard
-PMB has been an assist machine since cracking the Wild lineup and has cemented himself as one of the league's most gifted and creative playmakers. Bouchard enters the offseason as a restricted free agent, meaning any team can step in and sign him to an offer sheet if he does not agree to a new deal with the Wild. The Wild can match any offer, or, if they decide they do not want to meet those numbers, they will receive future draft picks from the team who signs him. A similar scenario played out last year when Edmonton signed Anaheim's Dustin Penner, a contract which the Ducks refused to match, forcing the Oilers to send their 2008 1st and 2nd round picks to Anaheim. Hopefully the Wild work out an extension with Bouchard as he is one of the young players they can build around.

Marian Gaborik
-Gaborik is coming off the heals of his best season. He poured in 42 goals and 83 points along with playing in a career-high 77 games. The big year could not have come at a better time for Gaborik personally, as he heads into a summer where the Wild are likely to approach him about a long-term deal. Minnesota now has to ask themselves if Gaborik is worth a max deal, and it is unclear if Gaborik wants to stay with the team when he could go out east and post monster offensive numbers. His glass groin may make things tricky but he is a dynamic talent whose production and gamebreaking ability would be nearly impossible to replace. Gaborik will be a top priority for the Wild this summer, but if they are unable to work out an extension, the Wild's first ever draft pick may be in a different sweater come October.

Allen On The Market

Not long after being franchised by the Chiefs, Jared Allen has requested, or more appropriately, demanded to be traded by the organization and hopes something gets done before next week's NFL Draft. The offseason has seen the Vikings pursue numerous defensive ends without any success. Justin Smith and Antwan Odom were both free agent targets who signed with other teams, and more recently the Vikings have been in the middle of trade rumors involving Jason Taylor and Julius Peppers. Those rumors did not appear to hold much weight, but the talks of Allen being traded to the Vikings are serious, as he is in Winter Park today talking about the framework of a long-term deal, a must before any team can even consider settling with the Chiefs on compensation. The Buccaneers are also in the mix for Allen's services, and several other teams may jump into the fray before it is all over. But it is a good sign that Allen visited Minnesota first, and with a higher first round pick and a pair of third rounders to work with, the Vikings appear to have the most to offer to the Chiefs, along with having plenty of money to throw Allen's way. Brad Childress called into KFAN this morning, confirming that the team is indeed interested in Allen and undergoing talks with his agent.

Allen and the Vikings appear to be a match made in heaven. Despite all the progress the defense has made under Childress they have still lacked an edge rusher who creates havoc in opponent's backfields, an essential ingredient in the Cover-2 defense that the Vikings employ. Coming off a year in which he led the league in sacks despite missing two games, Allen is exactly that. He is arguably the best defensive end in football and regarded by many as one of the top defensive players in the league. The Vikings would have to part with their first rounder this year along with another pick, either this year or next, but it would look to be good value for the team as they are highly unlikely to find a player who can have the impact of Allen at pick #17. Allen dominated on a Chiefs defense that had underwhelming talent at defensive tackle and it is scary to think of what he could accomplish with Pat and Kevin Williams engulfing blockers while he is running free outside.

He does come with a decent amount of risk. Despite being only 26, he has been arrested twice for drunken driving and faced jail time for his second offense. His issues with alcohol put him in the NFL's substance abuse program and he has two strikes against him in the league's eyes. Allen has reportedly been clean for over a year but any sort of run-in with the law again involving alcohol could lead to a year-long suspension. The good news is that Commissioner Roger Goodell shortened his previous suspension from four to two games in 2007, and with the way Goodell runs the league with an Iron Fist, it is probably a sign that he trusted in Allen's sobriety and the fact that he had cleaned up his act. There are still plenty of details to be hammered out but the prospect of adding a young and uber-productive talent at an important position has to be exciting for most Vikings fans.

Draft Preview

April 26th's NFL Draft does a fantastic job of bridging the gap between the Superbowl and the start of training camp, whetting the football appetites of fans across the nation. 2007's edition netted the Vikings a big-time return. Offensive Rookie of the Year Adrian Peterson was taken 7th overall, transforming a painfully boring offense into an exciting one whenever he touched the field. The team was also able to find contributors in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rounds, drafting Sidney Rice, Marcus McCauley, and Brian Robison, all of whom found themselves playing significant roles throughout the year. Similar success identifying talent this April could be enough to push the Vikings over the hump and into the postseason, and although they are not picking as highly this time around, with 9 picks in 7 rounds they should still be a major player come draft day and there are several players who could help them right away.

Round 1

Derrick Harvey-DE (Florida)

-Minnesota has finished near the bottom of the league in pass defense the past two seasons and a large reason for that is an anemic pass rush, specifically from the defensive ends. Harvey is a speedy rusher who made a home for himself in opposing SEC team's backfields during his two years as a starter for the Gators. The Cover-2 puts a heavy reliance on a pass rush from its DE's and the Vikes have been missing that for several years now. Harvey is the speed rusher that could elevate the whole defense with his ability to get to the quarterback.


Philip Merling-DE (Clemson)

-Merling is not the pass rushing menace that Harvey is, but he may be a more complete player all-around. With Kenechi Udeze's 2008 season likely gone and his career in serious jeopardy the Vikings could use another end who supports the run and controls the line. His stock has been hurt by recent hernia surgery but he should still settle into the latter stages of the first round. There are some questions as to how great his upside may be, although the consensus is he should be a solid end who plays every down with the potential to thrive in time.


Chris Williams-OT (Vanderbilt)

-With Bryant McKinnie's future in doubt thanks to another run-in with the law the team is likely to look for an offensive tackle within the first few rounds as a means of insurance. Williams is an intelligent, technically sound tackle who profiles as a left tackle, a spot that could become a huge need should the team tire of McKinnie's off-field antics. Even if Bryant is kept around, Williams could his start his career at right tackle and offer an immediate upgrade over the human turnstile that is Ryan Cook.



DeSean Jackson-WR (California)

-The Vikings filled their hole at wideout by throwing a lot of money at free agent Bernard Berrian, meaning they may not want to invest heavily in the position at the draft. But, Jackson's versatility as both a receiver and a return man is appealing, especially for a team that has had a sluggish return game recently. Berrian and Sidney Rice are locked in as starters, but Jackson could be an explosive weapon out of the slot and his blazing speed would bring a dimension to the offense that Bobby Wade cannot.



Jeff Otah-OT (Pittsburgh)

-Otah is a physical lineman with great size. His style would seem to mesh perfectly with the Vikings smashmouth gameplan and with the ability to play both left and right tackle he could provide the team with great versatility. Still relatively new to football, Otah is a raw talent with great upside, and at #17 he may simply be the best player available.



Brian Brohm-QB (Louisville)

-The Vikings have shown no signs of giving up on Tarvaris Jackson, but if they are internally troubled with Jackson's progress they may elect to bring in a top young QB. Brohm is the consensus #2 quarterback on the board but that is likely due to a weak class at the position. Still, Brohm is an accurate passer who has put up some gaudy numbers at Louisville. He may not be a star, but he is polished and mature and could immediately push Jackson for playing time.



Quentin Groves-DE (Auburn)

-Similar to Harvey in many ways, Groves is an explosive end who can be a headache for opposing quarterbacks. He is a bit smaller, 6'3, 259 pounds as opposed to Harvey's 6'5, 271 pounds, which begs the question as to whether he can be an every down player. Groves was one of the SEC's most disruptive forces on defense and his edge rushing skills may be coveted by a team such as the Vikings.




Mike Jenkins-CB (South Florida)

-Not long ago Jenkins was widely regarded as the top cornerback available. Things have changed with the ascension of both Leodis Mckelvin and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie but Jenkins is still heralded as a difference maker in the secondary. The Vikings secondary appears to be set but the team often went best player available the past few years and Jenkins may fit the bill come pick 17. He is a physical corner that supports the run well, traits that he shares with current Vikings corner Antoine Winfield. Winfield's days in purple may be up after his contract runs out and Jenkins may be an ideal replacement.


Branden Albert-OG/T (Virginia)

-Albert spent his career at guard for Virginia for the Cavaliers although he is climbing up draft boards thanks to the belief he can move over to tackle. An athletic lineman, he could man down a tackle spot for the Vikes and his great character would fit in with an organization that is trying to emphasize good citizens.



Devin Thomas-WR (Michigan State)

-Thomas burst onto the scene in 2007 with a monster year for the Spartans, cementing his status as a top prospect and at the same time raising questions as to whether he is a one-year wonder. Spectacular offseason workouts have boosted his stock even further to the point where he may be the best receiver available and a talent that the Vikings can't overlook. His combination of size (6'2, 217lbs.) speed, and return abilities make him a weapon for any team.




Round 2

John Carlson-TE (Notre Dame)

-Carlson, a Litchfield, Minnesota native, enjoyed a solid career with the Irish and brings a solid all-around game to the table. Visanthe Shiancoe was somewhat disappointing in his first season in purple and Jackson could use a safety valve at tight end. Carlson is a gifted receiver who is also a good blocker, an important trait for a Vikings tight end.




Anthony Collins-OT (Kansas)

-The Vikings may look away from an offensive tackle in Round 1 due to the fact that there should be plenty of quality ones available in the 2nd. Collins is one of those and he was a big part of the Jayhawks juggernaut offense in 2007. He'd likely be a good value in the mid-2nd and at the very least would be great depth along the offensive line.




Early Doucet-WR (LSU)

-Doucet is probably one of the more complete receivers in the draft. He has good hands, runs good routes, and is a very effective blocker. That balanced skill-set makes him an ideal slot receiver. He would be a better version of Bobby Wade, and considering he could go in the late first he would be a fantastic value in the middle of the second.





DaJuan Morgan-S (N.C. State)

-The Vikings revamped their safety position in the offseason, cutting Dwight Smith and adding Madieu Williams and Michael Boulware via free agency. They appear set for the short-term, but Darren Sharper is getting older and they could use a replacement to groom for the future. Morgan is athletic and can play both the run and pass, bringing an upgrade in talent and depth in the secondary even if he is not starting right away.




Chad Henne-QB (Michigan)

-The Vikings could desperately use some sort of contingency plan at QB. Gus Frerotte is an upgrade over last year's backups but he is clearly not a long-term solution. Henne was a 4-year starter for the Wolverines and has prototypical size and arm strength. He would likely push Jackson from the start and in time could make a solid NFL starter.

All Even

Keith Carney has scored two goals this year. Both have come against the Avalanche and both have come in the past week. Fortunately for the Wild, his latest tally was the team's biggest goal of the year. In a game and series so evenly contested, it is going to come down to who gets a fortuitous bounce at the right time. Friday night was the Wild's time to catch a break as Carney's shot from the high slot deflected off the skate of an Avalanche defenseman and past Avs goalie Jose Theodore. The puck-luck came at the perfect time for the Wild who were in a near must-win situation as to avoid going to Colorado down 2-0 in the series. Instead, the teams will board the plane to Denver in a 1-1 deadlock, a fitting end to the first two games in St. Paul. Lost in the emotional win is another player lost to injury. Branko Radivojevic went down early in the game with a leg injury. He returned, but with the Wild already down Nick Shultz, Kurtis Foster, and Mark Parrish, they cannot afford to have anyone else head to the infirmary.

Early Departures: Version 2008

The spring and nearing end of the college hockey season generally precipitates a mass exodus from the college ranks, as many elect to sign on the dotted line with an NHL franchise to get their professional career underway. Seldom do top players stay four years, and for many elite talents college is merely a one-year pit-stop on the way to the NHL. The WCHA has been hammered with departures the past few off-seasons and early indications are that this year will be no different. Several have already left with many more looming as we head into the spring and summer months.

Kyle Turris (Wisconsin)

-The 3rd overall pick in the 2007 draft, many expected Turris' stop on Wisconsin's campus to be a short one. It turned out to be just that as the 18 year old center signed with the Coyotes just days after the Badgers season ended. Turris is a dynamic offensive talent and led Wisconsin in points this year, scoring 11 goals to go with 24 assists. He was part of a phenomenal
freshman class for the Badgers that carried much of the offense for them. Turris' exit is a blow to a team that has had problems scoring goals for several years and he is a talent that is not easily replaced.


Jon Kalinski (Minnesota State)

-The Flyers became hellbent on signing their NCAA prospects this March/April, and former 6th round pick Kalinski was one of those brought into the fold. A lightning fast forward, Kalinski played in all situations and had become a huge part of the Mavericks resurgence in 2008. His penalty-killing had become something of legend as he was responsible for numerous short-handed chances and was near the top of the WCHA in shorties the past two years. His loss will be felt throughout the Mavs lineup.


Jason Garrison (Minnesota-Duluth)

-Garrison quietly emerged as one of the league's better defenseman as a junior and was a stalwart on a defensively stingy Bulldogs squad. His physical presence and rocket of a slap shot prompted the Florida Panthers to lure him out of school and his departure leaves the Bulldogs short on offensive talent along the blue-line. Garrison was an undrafted free agent, leaving him able to sign with whomever he pleased.



Michael Lee-Teslak (Michigan Tech)

-Teslak emerged from relative obscurity to become a star for Michigan Tech. An undrafted goaltender from the BCHL, Teslak carried the Huskies to back to back respectable seasons despite their dearth of offense. His play intrigued the Flyers enough for them to offer him a sizeable enough deal to entice him to leave Tech. The loss of Teslak is a huge blow to the Huskies as he was the glue to their squad in back to back years, often carrying them to major upsets.



Andreas Nodl (St. Cloud State)

-A 2nd round pick of the Flyers in 2006, Nodl has been an offensive force ever since he arrived on campus, posting 90 points in his first two seasons. Nodl was often criticized for lackadaisical defensive play, but nobody can deny his offensive prowess. He was a handful for WCHA defenseman and a force on the power play. The Austrian native left his mark on the Huskies program and his production is going to be tough to duplicate as he moves on to the Flyers organization.



Jeff Frazee (Minnesota)

-Frazee entered the Minnesota program as a much ballyhooed freshman who had already experienced great success in international play and set several records for the NTDP program in Ann Arbor. Three years later, he departs after an inconsistent and frustrating career, signing with the New Jersey Devils. Jeff was finally benched after a sluggish junior season in favor of Alex Kangas. To his credit, he handled the situation with a lot of grace and aplomb and leaves without many hard feelings from Gopher fans.


Turris has already gotten a taste of the NHL life, appearing in the Coyotes final 3 games of the season. But the rest of this group likely has at least a year in the minor leagues before they move onto the NHL, if they ever make it there at all. That should not stop any others from signing, and every team in the league still faces the possibility of losing one of its stars.

Alaska-Anchorage
-The Seawolves are rarely hit with early departures, but last off-season did see them lose starting goaltender Nathan Lawson, although there were other factors behind his departure. UAA will likely retain all its underclassmen, as the back to back cellar dwellars lack the kind of top-end talent that attracts NHL attention. There is still a chance that Sophomores Josh Lunden or Paul Crowder bolt, but the chances are slim that the Seawolves lose anyone early.

Colorado College
-The McNaughton Cup champions could get hit fairly hard this year. Junior Chad Rau led the WCHA in goals and juniors coming off fantastic seasons are generally good bets to sign. Rau's rights are owned by the Maple Leafs, a team looking to rebuild, and signing Rau may be part of that plan. Sensational freshmen Richard Bachman was a 4th round pick by the Dallas Stars in 2006 and there are rumors floating around that the Stars would like to get him in their system. Dallas is a bit short on goaltending talent and could use a long-term option behind starter Marty Turco. Sophomore Billy Sweatt is a 2nd-round pick of the Chicago Blawhawks and Chicago is in the midst of a youth movement. Sweatt has NHL speed and improved his offensive game from his freshman to his sophomore season. He is likely to spend another year in Colorado Springs to develop his game, but you never know what NHL teams are thinking. Those appear to be the only three serious threats for CC, but those guys, along with senior Jack Hillen were major pieces in their run to a WCHA regular season title.

Denver
-The Pioneers also have to be worried about some of their top talent leaving campus. Junior defenseman Chris Butler has developed into one the league's top defenseman, and his rights are owned by a Sabres organization that is looking to compensate for the loss of All-Star defenseman Brian Campbell. Sophomore forwards Rhett Rakshani and Tyler Ruegsegger both are flight risks as 4th and 6th round picks respectively. The Islanders showed their willingness to grab guys from the NCAA when they took Kyle Okposo out of Minnesota during the middle of the year, and after losing draft picks in the Ryan Smith trade in 2007, the Isles desperately need depth in their system. Undrafted Tyler Bozak had a fantastic freshman season, leading the Pioneers in scoring and earning all-freshman WCHA honors. As a 21-year old free agent, he may look to get his career started while his stock is high. If all or some of these players return to Denver next year they will stand as one of the league's preseason favorites.

Michigan Tech
-Teslak should be the only loss for the Huskies. None of their returning players have been drafted and none of them have really shown enough for an NHL to lure them out of school. Tech appears safe and should return a lineup heavy on veterans for the 2008-2009 season.

Minnesota
-The Gophers are no strangers to early departures, having seen a littany of elite talent leave before their eligibility was up during the Lucia era. This off-season promises to be easier on the Gophers but there are still a few candidates. Former 5th overall pick Blake Wheeler just finished his junior season and is set to graduate this spring. The Coyotes are loaded with young talent at forward, which could either signal they would like to add Wheeler as another or that they are not in need of Wheeler's services at the moment. All indications are that Phoenix would like to sign Blake but that he has yet to decide if he wants to sign or return for his senior season. Junior Ryan Stoa lost most of this season to a torn knee ligament and many had this earmarked as his final season at Minnesota. But the injury changes thing, and the former 2nd round pick of the Avalanche is likely going to be patient and return for his senior year. Undrafted freshman Stu Bickel was a pleasant surprise on the blue-line and at 6'3, 215 he has NHL-size. At 21 years old, he is on the older side for college freshman and his combination of size and maturity may be attractive to NHL scouts. He is a wild-card and may be tempted to take his chances in the professional ranks.

Minnesota-Duluth
-Other than Garrison, two names stick out for the Bulldogs. Junior forward Michael Gergen is a 2nd round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the speedy forward has the most offensive skill on an offensively challenged team. Already loaded at forward, Pittsburgh may elect to wait on Gergen and give him another year in Duluth. Goaltender Alex Stalock is property of the San Jose Sharks, an organization that has had a knack for pumping out elite goaltenders. Stalock would likely toil away in the minors for a few years, but with the Sharks ability to develop netminders, he may be tempted to sign.

Minnesota State
-The Mavericks appear safe from further departures as they feature a cast of solid if unspectacular players. Goaltender Mike Zacharias had a huge junior year but his size limits his NHL potential.

North Dakota
-The Sioux are likely to get pounded by early exits. Former first rounders Joe Finley and T.J. Oshie are virtual locks to leave, as both have proved all they can at the college level and have the ability to step into an NHL lineup as soon as next year. Ryan Duncan flirted with leaving last year, and as a free agent he should have leverage to leave after this year. Taylor Chorney is a 2nd round selection of the Oilers and they could use blue-line help, meaning he is as good as gone. That would likely be it for UND, but those four juniors all were key in getting them to three consecutive Frozen Fours.

St. Cloud State
-Like Minnesota State, SCSU is looking at losing only Nodl, although Ryan Lasch is a possibility. He has been a scoring-machine in two years at St. Cloud and as a free agent all it takes is for one team to be interested.

Wisconsin
-The Badgers brought in an elite recruiting class this season but that always can backfire when players leave early. Defenseman Ryan McDonagh and Brendan Smith were both 1st round selections, 12th and 29th respectively, and both showed their promise during the year. Smith is likely to stay, but McDonagh is an interesting case. The Canadiens were one of the NHL's best teams this year but McDonagh was solid all year and could add some punch to their blue-line. Jamie McBain, Carolina Hurricanes property, is the likeliest of the three to leave as he had an outstanding year as has ascended to the top of the WCHA defenseman.

Wild vs. Avalanche

By virtue of the Wild's 4-3 shootout loss to Colorado on Sunday, they will host the Avalanche in the first round of the playoffs starting on Wednesday. It will be the first time these division rivals have met in the playoffs since 2003, when the Wild stormed back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Avalanche in 7 games en route to the Western Conference finals. For many Minnesota fans, seeing Colorado is a relief considering the other potential matchup was Calgary, a team that has owned the Wild during the year in winning 6 of 8 contests. But it may be a situation where you have to be careful what you wish for. The Wild went 5-2-1 versus the Avalanche during the year but many of those wins came while the Avalanche had key players out due to injury. Colorado is now healthy and they are a franchise that is no stranger to the playoffs.

Led by potential future Hall of Famers Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg, along with young stud Paul Stastny, the Avalanche are loaded with firepower up front, even though the numbers tell a different story. Colorado finished 15th in the NHL in goals and next to last in Power Play %, but they had to deal with the aforementioned injuries and have only had Forsberg on board for 14 games after he elected to return to the NHL. Both Sakic and Forsberg have hoisted a Cup before and are notorious for strong playoff performances. Stastny is one of the NHL's brightest young stars after posting 71 points in only 64 games. The fantastic trio is complimented by veteran sniper Milan Hejduk's 29 goals and the Avalanche have enough offense to make a run in the postseason. The goaltending duo of Jose Theodore and Peter Budaj is solid if unspectacular, and whomever gets the nod is unlikely to carry the Avs to a series victory. Colorado is a good matchup for the Wild but this series has all the makings of a 6 or 7 game battle. After being physically manhandled by the Ducks in last year's first round, the Wild added much needed toughness with the additions of Todd Fedoruk, Sean Hill, and Chris Simon. Hopefully the Wild take a page out of the Ducks playbook and punish a skilled Colorado team with physical play, a trait often synonymous with a deep playoff run.

Kings Of The Northwest

A 2007-2008 season that featured several notable team records was capped off with a franchise first for the Wild: a Northwest Division title. A two goal effort from captain and superstar Marian Gaborik paced the victory Thursday night in one of the more important victories in Wild history. The Wild locked up the #3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs, important because it gives them home ice for at least the 1st round of the playoffs and allows them to avoid conference heavyweights Detroit and San Jose. The win also was only the 2nd over Calgary in 8 tries this season, a team that could potentially be the Wild's first round opponent. The most successful regular season in Wild history ends on Sunday and the playoffs loom next week.