I've been tracking Gophers in the NHL for a number of years. Unsurprisingly, not a lot of NHL talent came through the U during the frustrating period from 15-16 - 19-20. There will be multiple NHLers from the current blue line, but no guarantees that any of the current forwards make an impact in the show.
I'll keep note of those playing in the NHL here.
The old guard (that is carrying Gopher point production in the NHL and will need to be replaced):
Blake Wheeler - Captain of the Jets and the current shining star for Gophers in the NHL - 34yo
Phil Kessel - 2x cup champ sniper's career is winding down rapidly in Arizona. With 34 GP he'll pass Neal Broten and reach 1100. With three goals he'll pass Vanek with 374. With 63 points (probably over two seasons) he'll pass Broten with 924 - 33yo
Kyle Okposo - His career has been hampered by injuries and he's not an impact player anymore in Buffalo - 32yo
Alex Goligoski - Like Kessel, the steady defenseman's career is winding down in sunny Arizona - 35yo
Erik Johnson - The #1 overall pick in 2006 plays on an absolutely stacked Avalanche blueline, where he has a quiet defensive role - 32yo
The recent peak (players from the extremely talented Gopher teams from 11-12 - 14-15)
Nick Bjugstad - The fan favorite has had his career completely derailed by injuries, but is back home with the Wild hoping for a fresh start and potentially starting the season as 1C between Kaprisov and Parise - 28yo
Erik Haula - The superstar in maroon and gold has bounced around a lot and will try to resurrect his 17-18 Vegas production as a Nashville Predator - 29yo
Nate Schmidt - Another fan favorite, and what many consider a legit top pairing D in the NHL. It will be interesting to see his role in Vancouver - 29yo
Justin Holl - Took his time to become an NHL regular, but is now pretty locked in to the Leafs top six - 28yo
Brady Skjei - His world class skating was always going to make him an NHL regular for many years, and that's exactly what he's become in NY and now Carolina - 26yo
Mike Reilly - The offensive dynamo in college hasn't quite become a full time NHLer, but plays enough to make this section for now. It will be interesting to see his role with the Senators this year - 27yo
Mark Alt - Despite only playing 18 games so far, Alt has made the LA Kings opening night roster because of Covid player losses, and we'll see if he plays - 29yo
The others
Nick Leddy - Like Skjei, his skating made him NHL ready after only one year at the U. He's already played 720 games, with many, many more to come for the Islanders. - 29yo
Ryan Lindgren - The best d-man and now best NHL prospect to come through the U during the troubled years, he's currently set to start the season on the top pair for the Rangers at a very young age. The thoroughbreds from the U: Goligoski then Leddy then Skjei now Lindgren. Faber may be the next one. - 22yo
The taxi squad guys and the guys that could get a handful of NHL games this season
Casey Mittelstadt - Buffalo taxi squad - (Special callout here because CM is looking like a massive flop in the NHL sadly. I had so much hype for him as a Gopher and pro but he left the U one year too early, before he was even dominating the college game on a consistent, month over month basis. This year is make or break for his NHL career.) - 22yo
Travis Boyd - Toronto taxi squad - 27yo
Hudson Fasching - Arizona taxi squad - 25yo
Vinni Lettieri - Anaheim taxi squad - 25yo
Kyle Rau - Minnesota taxi squad - 28yo
Aaron Ness - Arizona AHL - 30yo
Nick Seeler - Chicago AHL - 27yo
Jake Bischoff - Vegas AHL - 26yo
Rem Pitlick - Nashville AHL - 23yo
I'll keep note of those playing in the NHL here.
The old guard (that is carrying Gopher point production in the NHL and will need to be replaced):
Blake Wheeler - Captain of the Jets and the current shining star for Gophers in the NHL - 34yo
Phil Kessel - 2x cup champ sniper's career is winding down rapidly in Arizona. With 34 GP he'll pass Neal Broten and reach 1100. With three goals he'll pass Vanek with 374. With 63 points (probably over two seasons) he'll pass Broten with 924 - 33yo
Kyle Okposo - His career has been hampered by injuries and he's not an impact player anymore in Buffalo - 32yo
Alex Goligoski - Like Kessel, the steady defenseman's career is winding down in sunny Arizona - 35yo
Erik Johnson - The #1 overall pick in 2006 plays on an absolutely stacked Avalanche blueline, where he has a quiet defensive role - 32yo
The recent peak (players from the extremely talented Gopher teams from 11-12 - 14-15)
Nick Bjugstad - The fan favorite has had his career completely derailed by injuries, but is back home with the Wild hoping for a fresh start and potentially starting the season as 1C between Kaprisov and Parise - 28yo
Erik Haula - The superstar in maroon and gold has bounced around a lot and will try to resurrect his 17-18 Vegas production as a Nashville Predator - 29yo
Nate Schmidt - Another fan favorite, and what many consider a legit top pairing D in the NHL. It will be interesting to see his role in Vancouver - 29yo
Justin Holl - Took his time to become an NHL regular, but is now pretty locked in to the Leafs top six - 28yo
Brady Skjei - His world class skating was always going to make him an NHL regular for many years, and that's exactly what he's become in NY and now Carolina - 26yo
Mike Reilly - The offensive dynamo in college hasn't quite become a full time NHLer, but plays enough to make this section for now. It will be interesting to see his role with the Senators this year - 27yo
Mark Alt - Despite only playing 18 games so far, Alt has made the LA Kings opening night roster because of Covid player losses, and we'll see if he plays - 29yo
The others
Nick Leddy - Like Skjei, his skating made him NHL ready after only one year at the U. He's already played 720 games, with many, many more to come for the Islanders. - 29yo
Ryan Lindgren - The best d-man and now best NHL prospect to come through the U during the troubled years, he's currently set to start the season on the top pair for the Rangers at a very young age. The thoroughbreds from the U: Goligoski then Leddy then Skjei now Lindgren. Faber may be the next one. - 22yo
The taxi squad guys and the guys that could get a handful of NHL games this season
Casey Mittelstadt - Buffalo taxi squad - (Special callout here because CM is looking like a massive flop in the NHL sadly. I had so much hype for him as a Gopher and pro but he left the U one year too early, before he was even dominating the college game on a consistent, month over month basis. This year is make or break for his NHL career.) - 22yo
Travis Boyd - Toronto taxi squad - 27yo
Hudson Fasching - Arizona taxi squad - 25yo
Vinni Lettieri - Anaheim taxi squad - 25yo
Kyle Rau - Minnesota taxi squad - 28yo
Aaron Ness - Arizona AHL - 30yo
Nick Seeler - Chicago AHL - 27yo
Jake Bischoff - Vegas AHL - 26yo
Rem Pitlick - Nashville AHL - 23yo
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