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Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL traded a goalkeeper and a 5th round pick for a 3rd round draft choice and the playing rights to Aaron Ness. The 5th round pick is conditional on Ness reporting, but why even make this trade unless you thought there was an outside chance. Seems odd. Ness has never indicated wanting to leave the Gophers, so maybe this is nothing...but...This coming off of prospect camp, combined with Garth Snow...

Probably a good move on his part. More than likely will play behind Faichild and Leddy as far as offensive D go. Would not get PP time and therefore will see limited ice time and could be odd man out as far as dressing.

mulefarm wrote:Probably a good move on his part. More than likely will play behind Faichild and Leddy as far as offensive D go. Would not get PP time and therefore will see limited ice time and could be odd man out as far as dressing.

After playingin 37 games last year, I don't think Ness needs to worry about dressing.
After Playing on the PP last year, I think he will get a shot at playing PP agian this year.

And Leddy played in zero games last year. I think he will play a lot - but also has to learn the college game. Besides Ness and Fairchild, Leddy is looking at Wehrs, Lofquist and Fisher ahead of him and probably Helgeson.

61ache wrote:Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL traded a goalkeeper and a 5th round pick for a 3rd round draft choice and the playing rights to Aaron Ness. The 5th round pick is conditional on Ness reporting, but why even make this trade unless you thought there was an outside chance. Seems odd. Ness has never indicated wanting to leave the Gophers, so maybe this is nothing...but...This coming off of prospect camp, combined with Garth Snow...

Because they have a goalkeeper they are not going to use. The 5th round is meaningless unless they get Ness.
Its a can't lose situation with plenty of upside if they can convince him to jump.

mulefarm wrote:Probably a good move on his part. More than likely will play behind Faichild and Leddy as far as offensive D go. Would not get PP time and therefore will see limited ice time and could be odd man out as far as dressing.

Odd man out for dressing? Ness was the only freshman at the U of M to play every game as a freshman including being on the ice in critical defensive situations and starting penalty kill. I don't see that changing as a sophmore. Say what you want about Fairchild, he's a great talent, but Ness has the defensive chops that Fairchild doesn't and Leddy has yet to prove. Combined with the fact he's put on 20lbs since coming in last year, I don't see him fighting for playing time.

elliott70 wrote:Because they have a goalkeeper they are not going to use. The 5th round is meaningless unless they get Ness.
Its a can't lose situation with plenty of upside if they can convince him to jump.

This makes sense, but something keeps nagging at me about this. Maybe after the whole Okposo/Garth Snow rodeo a few years back...I just get the feeling that someone somewhere is convincing this kid his road to the NHL leads through the WHL.

I don't know how you can say Ness is better defensively, when he was the worst of all the D with a -10. Fairchild was a +5, a pretty big difference. Even though he may not leave, there must have been speculation for a team to trade for his rights. Still think he will have a hard time playing in front of Fairchild and Leddy.

Leddy could surprise a lot of people this year as he is an excellent skater. Second half the season I believe he will be in the top 4 if not before. Leddy brings a combination of strength and speed that should really help the Gophers. If Helgeson can provide a dependable stay at home D or more the Gophers will be greatly improved

Leddy is a good player but hasn't proven anything yet at the next level... He'll get a fair shake no doubt but it may take some time... Schroeder was up top last year with fairchild on the PP... Schroeder will most likely move down low to open up more opportunities to score... I'm guessing that Ness and Fairchild will be first unit on the PP while Leddy and Fischer will handle the PP2... Ness may play his way out of the top four with his sloppy defensive play and make room for Leddy in the top four but that will play itself out. Heres how I see the D shaking out!

Fairchild
Fischer
Ness/Helgeson
Leddy
Loftquist

Can someone give me some info: does Ness know how to play defense in his own end? He cannot clear in front and is terrible in the corners.

Ness will stay.
Leddy looked real solid last night - I thought Ness struggled.

Ness will struggle until he is 19 or 20. He is just not as physically developed as a 21 year-old freshman. I have no clue what Lucia was thinking by bringing him in so young.

elliott70 wrote:

mulefarm wrote:Probably a good move on his part. More than likely will play behind Faichild and Leddy as far as offensive D go. Would not get PP time and therefore will see limited ice time and could be odd man out as far as dressing.

After playingin 37 games last year, I don't think Ness needs to worry about dressing.
After Playing on the PP last year, I think he will get a shot at playing PP agian this year.

And Leddy played in zero games last year. I think he will play a lot - but also has to learn the college game. Besides Ness and Fairchild, Leddy is looking at Wehrs, Lofquist and Fisher ahead of him and probably Helgeson.

Ness will be in every game, excluding injury. Starting on top PP last week. Big improvement is needed from the top PP unit. Little puck movement from that unit in the O and D zone, never established itself.

We'll see how the other D play out.

Marty McSorely wrote:Ness will struggle until he is 19 or 20. He is just not as physically developed as a 21 year-old freshman. I have no clue what Lucia was thinking by bringing him in so young.

He will be 20 in May 2010. He didn't start school until he was six, that is why he accelerated his HS class schedule, so he could graduate when most of the kids his age graduated.

Yes, he will benefit greatly from adding strength and it will come if he works at it.

just the facts wrote:Can someone give me some info: does Ness know how to play defense in his own end? He cannot clear in front and is terrible in the corners.

I was wondering if he would be better suited as a center. I dont think he has the strength or plays physical enough to be a D at this or the next level. Gophers are getting too many finesse guys.

just the facts wrote:Can someone give me some info: does Ness know how to play defense in his own end? He cannot clear in front and is terrible in the corners.

Umm...yeah...he's terrible in his own end...that's why Lucia has had him play PK since day 1...

He's been generating some nice chance since Lucia's had him play winger on PP. I kind of like the tactic. Makes you wonder if Lucia would ever try having him play at a more full time basis?

61ache wrote:

just the facts wrote:Can someone give me some info: does Ness know how to play defense in his own end? He cannot clear in front and is terrible in the corners.

Umm...yeah...he's terrible in his own end...that's why Lucia has had him play PK since day 1...

He's been generating some nice chance since Lucia's had him play winger on PP. I kind of like the tactic. Makes you wonder if Lucia would ever try having him play at a more full time basis?

He is not playing wing, that's called the umbrella. Sometimes he moves lower, sometimes he and Schroeder switch places.

Ness is playing well.

breakout wrote:

61ache wrote:

just the facts wrote:Can someone give me some info: does Ness know how to play defense in his own end? He cannot clear in front and is terrible in the corners.

Umm...yeah...he's terrible in his own end...that's why Lucia has had him play PK since day 1...

He's been generating some nice chance since Lucia's had him play winger on PP. I kind of like the tactic. Makes you wonder if Lucia would ever try having him play at a more full time basis?

He is not playing wing, that's called the umbrella. Sometimes he moves lower, sometimes he and Schroeder switch places.

Ness is playing well.

The u plays the umbrella, yes. Since the Denver series (first time I've noticed it) they've also had Ness playing the weak side wing--definite difference on how they used him last year on the PP. It's interesting and since Lucia's put him down there, he's generated some nice chances.

61ache wrote:

breakout wrote:

61ache wrote: Umm...yeah...he's terrible in his own end...that's why Lucia has had him play PK since day 1...

He's been generating some nice chance since Lucia's had him play winger on PP. I kind of like the tactic. Makes you wonder if Lucia would ever try having him play at a more full time basis?

He is not playing wing, that's called the umbrella. Sometimes he moves lower, sometimes he and Schroeder switch places.

Ness is playing well.

The u plays the umbrella, yes. Since the Denver series (first time I've noticed it) they've also had Ness playing the weak side wing--definite difference on how they used him last year on the PP. It's interesting and since Lucia's put him down there, he's generated some nice chances.

He should get some nice chances. He is in a good rebound & passing lane/angle.