UW's Classes of Forwards-Logjam in 2008

The more I think about UW's situation at forward, the more I am thinking there is a very good chance Chris Hickey and/or Josh Turnbull could be joining the Badgers next season. Here's a look at UW's scheduled graduations and the recruits that have already verballed at the forward position.

After this season UW loses these forwards:

Joudrey
Brandt
Carlson
Dowell
Skille (I think he'll go pro)

That means UW needs 4-5 forwards for next season. So far, UW has only Kyle Turris, meaning there is a need for 3-4 more forwards.

After 2007-2008 Ford is the only forward that graduates. The only potential early flight risks at forward following that season would seem to be Turris or maybe Geoffrion, though it's real early to be making those kinds of predictions.

Verballing tentatively for 2008 are Hickey & Turnbull (both of whom would be 1 year post-high school) as well as Brock Montpetit and Matt Thurber who both will be graduating from high school. By moving Hickey and Turnbull up a year, you help fill the need for next season, and release some of the logjam at forward for 2008-2009.

The other option to alleviate the logjam is to move players back a year, but think it's unlikely Hickey or Turnbull would need two years in the USHL. Thurber will have already been in the USHL for three years by 2008 so they are definitely not going to push him back. Montpetit may be able to use a year in the USHL if he hasn't already done so for his Senior year of high school.

It will be interesting to see how it unfolds, but I think the most likely scenario is to bring Hickey and/or Turnbull in early.