What are everyone's thoughts on which underclassman leave the Gophers?
I am going to guess Brady Skjei and Skjei only.
Although I'm nervous about Wilcox, M Reilly & Rau.
I could see someone that isn't getting ice time or not getting high end line time like Isaakson or Michaelson also bolting.
Thoughts?
Good list.
I'm not sure on Skjei. He is one of the team's best skaters, but at this point, I don't think his stickhandling and passing will cut it at the pro level. However, his skating might be good enough that you are right.
Wilcox: I think it is a lot tougher with only 4 goalie spots (starter/backup in AHL/NHL) on a team to work in a new goalie, I'd be surprised to see the Cox-blocker go.
M. Reilly: Depending on who his GM is, they might want him developing as a PP QB on the AHL club at the start of next season and I could see him doing well there and moving up to the big club by next spring. He is probably the one I'm most worried about. He really improved his game, I thought he was a liability last year and could not stand him on the blue line, but this year he is doing a great job.
Rau: I think he is ready for the pro game, but NHL GMs and coaches seem to have this bias that small guys aren't right for the NHL, so I don't think they take him yet. It amuses me how they continue to harbor that kind of thinking, I can still remember watching Tyler Johnson and Jared Spurgeon playing their juniors in Spokane and being told they were too small for the WHL, and now they are doing great in the pros.
As for the depth guys you mentioned, that's always a possibility. But they seem to be not even making the fourth line right now (Guertler, C. Reilly, and Litteiri have been doing great), and we only stand to lose Condon, Serratore, and maybe Rau at forward. Those 2-3 spots will likely be taken by freshman.