#1

Posted by sk84fun_dc, July 27, 2008 1:37 PM

How do pro contracts signed by two players, Bina and Radke, that just completed their senior seasons, impact the upcoming season for the UND team and Finley's decision? Simple, they don't.

Of the six players you mentioned in the above post, Oshie and Chorney are the two players that had eligibility remaining and it wasn't a surprise that either left early and both departures have been official for awhile.

Could Finley change his mind late summer, it is possible, but given his comments after he made his decision, his not attending dev camp (yes, I know he would have had to pay his own way), and the Bears recent signings of two more d-men to AHL contracts, seems unlikely that the org. expects him to, even if McPhee did make a comment this summer about talking to him again.

http://www.undsportszone.com/articles/?id=79126

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#2

Posted by Murshawursha, July 27, 2008 2:41 PM

Maybe the kid wants a college degree in case the whole hockey thing doesn't work out? Sheesh, cut him some slack.

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#3

Posted by pucksandbooks, July 27, 2008 2:55 PM

McPhee's stated intent of speaking with Finley again this summer, after initially failing to get him inked, suggests, to me anyway, the organization's firm belief that it believes it's in Joe's best interest to turn pro in '08-09. Joe of course is free to finish up his college career, but after three seasons in the WCHA, on top of a stint in the USHL, do you really believe skating on a middling Sioux squad would be a season better spent than with say the Hershey Bears? And the given the body count on the blueline in Hershey last season, I'm not sure having another would hurt.

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#4

Posted by hotdog88gt, July 27, 2008 6:52 PM

Jeez, leave the kid alone. That goes for Alzner, too. Some fans are screaming for Finley/Alzner to go pro, and the minute an NHL winger feeds one of these young guys his lunch you'll be screaming for their heads.

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#5

Posted by pucksandbooks, July 27, 2008 6:58 PM

Finley is 6 '7, 240. Who among NHL wingers -- let alone AHL ones -- do you imagine feeding him his lunch?

Incidentally, had the Caps had advanced past Philly in round one, Alzner was going in the lineup.

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#6

Posted by third man in, July 27, 2008 11:23 PM

I thought Alzner was going to Hershey had they advanced?

Hershey has enough D now as Sk8 says they have recently signed two vets. If big Joe wants to finish his career at ND more power to him.

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#7

Posted by strungout, July 27, 2008 11:47 PM

According to whom?

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#8

Posted by usiel, July 28, 2008 1:06 PM

If I had to choose I would think coming out now for Finley might be slightly better for his development this next year but as its has been pointed it out he is a young senior. I guess for the caps its either a 3 year entry level deal if Finley comes out this year or a 2 year deal next year. Considering the potential glut of rookie/prospect dmen at Hershey this upcoming season I kinda don't have a problem with Finley staying his senior year. Can anyone really have a problem with him wanting his degree or to experience another year of college?

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#9

Posted by pucksandbooks, July 28, 2008 1:26 PM

Well I want him to experience another of college if he's Animal House-ing it, of course, but I'm of the opinion that guys like Finley (i.e., NHL first rounders) go to U.S. college largely to major in hockey. I'm sure I'll get reamed for this, but if he were at Harvard or Cornell or ND or some school with national or international degree value, then by all means, get the paper -- but how much will the prairie school degree mean to him when he's plastering Crosby's face into the glass?

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#10

Posted by chuckles, July 28, 2008 8:54 PM

pucksandbooks,

"A "middling" Sioux squad"...

and your comments regarding the school...

Do you have any idea about UND's school and hockey program? Serious question.

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