60 Days. 60 Teams. 600 Words (or Less): Minnesota

University of Minnesota

2018-19 Record: 18-16-4 (11-10-3, 3rd in Big Ten)
Head Coach: Bob Motzko, 2nd Year
Top returning scorers: Brannon McManus (14G-12A) and Sammy Walker (10G-16A)
Top returning goaltender: None

It's finally Minnesota's day in the series. So much to discuss. So few words.

Bob Motzko's start behind the Gopher bench began by tying then routing UMD in a way no other team did all season. Even then, Motzko correctly said there was work to be done.

Home losses to two of the five worst teams nationally burrowed the Gophers into needing a miracle to make the NCAA Tournament. Inconsistency led to Motzko tinkering and the team being near .500 all year. A five-forward power-play unit bolstered scoring. Hot goaltending helped when an opportunistic offense went cold. Minnesota had 5+ goals seven times contrasted by an early 12 game stretch where the Gophers scored two or fewer goals eight times.

Minnesota clicked down the stretch, going on a 7-1 run with wins over three NCAA Tournament teams. The Gophers finished third in the conference before an OT loss to Notre Dame in the Big Ten semifinals ended the miracle bid.

What's New: Goalies. All those goaltenders who started games? They're gone, along with a large senior class.

Junior starter Mat Robson signed an entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild. Two-time B1G Goaltender of the Year Eric Schierhorn and third-string goalie Brock Kautz both graduated.

With no returning goalie, the job looks to be between freshman Jared Moe and Michigan transfer Jack LaFontaine.

Robson isn't the only early departure for the Gophers. All-American Rem Pitlick, who had 31 points in 23 second-half games, signed with Nashville following his junior season. Clayton Phillips transferred to Penn State.

The home schedule includes the return of the Mariucci Classic. All four Minnesota teams will be at Mariucci this season in addition to a Thanksgiving weekend series against rival North Dakota.

Not-So Closing Thoughts: Look, this will not be my only 2019-20 preview for Minnesota. A more in-depth profile will be written somewhere in one form or another.

Until then, for a team whose identity for much of last season was inconsistency, there's more change and smaller, unanswered questions.

Turnover in players means this is quickly becoming Motzko's team. 10 of the 12 new players were recruited by him. That includes 2019 first-round pick Ryan Johnson and 39th overall pick Jackson Lacombe. Both defensemen have been on the upswing of their development. Bryce Brodzinski was 2019 Minnesota Mr. Hockey. Under the radar is Ben Meyers, whose 33 goals were third among all USHL players. His scoring touch would be a boost to add to 2018-19 Big Ten freshman of the year Sammy Walker and Sampo Ranta.

One big question concerning Minnesota is whether talented underclassmen can step up and lead after losing so many key players. The Gophers don't have the luxury of Robson stealing games early when the team was heavily outshot. (Minnesota was outshot by 5.58 shots per game and the only team in the bottom-20 of that stat with an above .500 record.) Only Brannon McManus returns on the top power-play unit.

2018-19's final month saw positive steps and that Motzko's team can play with anyone. Minnesota had the second-highest PWR quality win bonus of any school. The Gophers showed what is possible. Now it's about putting it together.

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