FanHouse University Of Minnesota

Back in December, we brought you the Soap Opera story of Isles' draftee Kyle Okposo (no relation to mythical monster, Ogopogo), and the love triangle he was caught in with Isles' GM Garth Show and University of Minnesota coach Don Lucia.

Boy, was it nasty! Snow claimed Lucia was a poor coach that was stifling Okposo's development and turning him into a pumpkin, while Lucia countered that the Isles were far too short-sighted to realize that the University of Minnesota does not work for the New York Islanders' farm system.

Well, the story died down as Okposo went to toil in the minors. After playing quite well, with 24 points in 29 games, and the Isles realistically out of playoff contention, Okposo is finally set to make his NHL debut. Let's see what all the hype is about!

"I didn't know when the call would come," Okposo said in a statement released yesterday by the team, "but now that it has, the excitement is off the charts. I just want to have a good practice and then I'll start thinking about playing a big game against the Maple Leafs in front of our fans. It's up to me to make the most of the opportunity."

From reports at Newyorkislanders.com, Okposo was practicing on a line with Blake Comeau and Richard Park. That's a lot of speed, and should be fun to watch.

It seems that the New York Islanders signing of top prospect Kyle Okposo wasn't simply about filling the hole left by Chris Simon's suspension. At least, that is what the Isles would like you to think.

In the usual amount of class shown by the New York Islanders organization, GM "Party On!" Garth Snow took the low road, and criticized the University of Minnesota for their supposed failure to develop their top prospect to the Isles' liking.

"Quite frankly, we weren't happy with the program there," Snow told the paper. "They have a responsibility to coach, to make Kyle a better player, and they were not doing that."

He continued, "[Okposo] just wasn't getting better - bottom line. And to me, that's the frustrating part. We entrusted the coach there to turn him into a better hockey player, and it wasn't happening. We feel more comfortable in him developing right under our watch."

"Whether it was Kyle or another player, until things change in that program we'd probably make the same decision," Snow told the Star-Tribune. "There should be a coach there that looks in the mirror. ... I don't think we'd be at this point if he was being coached properly."

Wow! Those are some pretty strong words pointed at Minnesota's hockey program and coach Don Lucia. NHL teams rarely criticize a junior or university team for the way their prospects are handled, especially when said prospect gets loads of ice time. Sure, many NCAA fans are rather jealous of Minnesota and their 'arrogant' style, but that has more to do with the program's success and mentality than their ability to develop prospects.

Erik Johnson, the first overall pick in the 2006 Entry Draft, had spurned the temptation to turn pro and earn some instant cash. Instead, Erik lived his dream to play with the University of Minnesota, and had given hints that he intended to stay there for a few years.

Well, the lure of the NHL must have finally got to the boy as he's signed on with the St. Louis Blues.

I talked to Erik today (Wednesday) and he told us he's not going back to the University of Minnesota and I got a big smile on my face," Blues President John Davidson told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

According to the Post-Dispatch, the contract will be for three years, with a base salary of $765,000 and an $85,000 signing bonus. The contract will also be loaded with incentives that could bring him anywhere from $2 to $3 million per season.

Widely considered the #1 prospect in the game today, Blues fans hope Johnson can bring them the same kind of 2-way defensive dominance that Chris Pronger or Al MacInnis brought to the club during the good old days.

While Johnson had offers to join the Blues right after being drafted, it was best for all involved that he went back to university. Why burn up a year of his contract to be overwhelmed at the NHL level, playing on a bad team? Now that Erik is one year older and more mature, he should be much more able to adapt to the NHL game.

The first step in Erik's development will be joining Team USA in the upcoming World Championships in Moscow. This will give fans their first chance to see how Erik does against some of the best in the world.

You can read more on Erik Johnson at Hockeysfuture.com

Pistons head coach Flip Saunders took advantage of the All-Star break by flying back to Minnesota to take part in 25th anniversary celebrations of the University of Minnesota's 1982 Big Ten championship team. Saunders played for the Golden Gophers in the 70's and was an assistant coach for the team in 1982, and if you believe the rumors, he's the favorite to be named the program's next head coach sometime this summer. From Star-Tribune columnist Sid Hartman:

University President Robert Bruininks also has made it clear that Saunders is the top candidate for the job.

Saunders faces a difficult decision on whether to leave the Pistons for the Gophers.

I have known this young man for more than 30 years, from the first day he walked onto the Williams Arena floor. I know he loves this university and bleeds maroon and gold.

I can't see him turning down the chance to have the job he has dreamed about all of his adult life, despite the difference in pay.

Former university athletic director Mark Dienhart recalled how hard he tried to convince Saunders to take the Gophers job before Dan Monson was hired.

"I spent a lot of time with Flip both here and at his cabin trying to convince him to take the Gopher job," Dienhart said. "He was interested, but we just didn't have the money to pay him at that time."

To Saunders' credit, he's done his best to discredit the rumors, explaining that he considers himself an NBA coach and his primary goal right now is to win an NBA title. But if Saunders is actually 100% certain that he wasn't going to take the job, doesn't it seem odd that he hasn't asked the school's president to tone down the public campaigning? After all, if he's not the guy, all of this hoopla will amount to nothing except making the eventual hire feel second-rate.