Author: David Shama

An NHL source told Sports Headliners on Tuesday he believes three Gophers will be chosen during the first round of the NHL draft on June 26.

The source, who has experience scouting and coaching in the NHL, requested anonymity while talking about Zach Budish, Nick Leddy and Jordan Schroeder.  Budish and Leddy will be freshmen with the Gophers this fall, and Schroeder a sophomore.

Schroeder led all college freshmen in scoring last season and there’s been speculation he will be the first of the three drafted but the source said it might be Budish.  “He might go in the top half of the first round,” the source said.

He is becoming more impressed with the former Edina High School forward who although not a classic skater is a “tough, nasty” player with leadership abilities.  “He’s getting a lot of scouting attention,” the source added.

He described Leddy, a defenseman who played for Eden Prairie, as an “electrifying” skater and also “very good with the puck.”  Although he’s only about 5-11, 180 pounds, the scout disagrees with those who think Leddy isn’t big enough for the NHL.

Schroeder, about 5-9, 180 pounds, isn’t a classic first round forward prospect and he often doesn’t dazzle scouts but the source said he has a “great shot” and his hockey IQ is as “high as I’ve ever seen” and compared it with Wayne Gretzky.  “The really impressive thing with him is that wherever he’s been, he’s been the best player on the team,” the source added.

None of the three Gophers is ready for the NHL and all probably will play with Minnesota next season. The source said Schroeder might be ready to play effectively in the minors but he, too, will benefit from college hockey.

Look for the Wild to take American players in the upcoming NHL draft.  The Wild’s roster is expected to have more U.S. players in the years ahead, according to the source who commented about Budish, Leddy and Schroeder.

Gophers football coach Tim Brewster said the athletic department has turned down an offer to play at Michigan in 2010.  The two teams would have met in a non-conference game because Michigan and Minnesota aren’t scheduled against each other in 2009 and 2010.  The Gophers said no because the week prior to the proposed 2010 game Minnesota plays annual national title contender USC at home.  The Gophers have significantly improved the quality of nonconference opponents they’re scheduling with 2009 opponents including Air Force and California.  The 2010 nonconference home schedule still has two openings.

Brewster will have Garrett Brown, Eric Decker, and Lee Campbell as his player representatives at the annual Big Ten media gathering this summer in Chicago.

Brewster and Vikings coach Brad Childress were the high bidders at a charity event for a trip for four to Costa Rica.  Brewster said it’s most likely the trip will wait until next year.

“Wally the Beerman” (Wally McNeil) and wife Joyce will celebrate their 21^st wedding anniversary this Sunday at Canterbury Park where the two are race horse owners.  Although their anniversary date is June 23, the two will celebrate with family on Sunday.  This has been a difficult spring; McNeil had triple bypass heart surgery on May 18.

Former Vikings assistant Dean Dalton, who coached running backs here, believes wide receiver-runner Percy Harvin, the team’s No. 1 draft choice, will put “schematic” pressures on opposing defenses when he takes direct snaps from the center in a “wildcat” or shot gun offense.  A quick insertion of Harvin into the game will change the Vikings from a conventional quarterback under center offense to one where Harvin could run, pass or hand the ball off to All Pro running back Adrian Peterson.

“Wow, what a great talent (Harvin),” Dalton said.  “He’s got tremendous ball skills and just an explosive nature. And an elusiveness in space with the ball in his arm. …”

Baseball historian Dave Mona said no A’s player has won a batting championship since the franchise relocated to Oakland in 1968.  The team’s home field, the Oakland Coliseum, has more foul territory than any other park, giving pitchers a significant advantage over hitters.  Mona said that by contrast he’s been told the Twins’ new ballpark, Target Field, will have the second smallest foul ball territory after Wrigley Field in Chicago.

The Twins finish their four game series in Oakland today, having won two of three games so far.

You wonder whether having left handed hitters Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Jason Kubel bat in consecutive order is something the Twins need to abandon permanently.  The threesome makes it easier for managers to maneuver their relief pitchers against them.

The Vikings open training camp in Mankato on July 29 and the Brett Favre saga will be decided by then, according to Dean Dalton.

“…I don’t think that Brad Childress will allow this to go past the start of training camp,” the former Vikings assistant coach told Sports Headliners.  “There will have to be a decision made in the next six weeks.”

There’s been speculation that the 39-year-old quarterback has been stringing out the process of possibly playing with the Vikings to avoid the team’s spring practices and the extra time they demand.  That theory took a hit on Sunday night when ESPN reported that Favre had surgery last month on his right shoulder.

Dalton spoke to Sports Headliners on Saturday and said this: “If he’s healthy I think he’d have been here for the practices.  Not that he would have enjoyed it but I think he would have been there. …”

For some time Favre has reportedly been evaluating his right throwing arm and a tendon injury.  Neither he nor agent Bus Cook seem to have determined whether he will resume a storied NFL career that includes 16 seasons with Green Bay, and one last year with the New York Jets.

Dalton, who remains close to the NFL scene including as a host for Sirus Satellite Radio, thinks a healthy Favre can still play and “would be a huge upgrade for this team” (the Vikings).  Dalton emphasized how two years ago Favre led the Packers to a 13-3 record and last year had the Jets at 8-3 before his arm injury.

For Favre to come here, and Dalton believes he’s interested, the future hall of famer must convince himself and the Vikings that he’s physically healthy. The other aspect Dalton said will be whether Favre is “mentally ready” to compete in the fury of the NFL and join another new team (third system in three years to learn).