Fasching is gone from Gophers hockey, but others aren't likely to follow

The Gophers lost their best player Monday when Hudson Fasching announced he would join the Buffalo Sabres organization.

The big-bodied junior forward, the first Gopher to announce he's leaving early for the pros, tied for the team lead with 20 goals and was the second-leading scorer with 38 points. Fasching's strength and presence in front of the net was just as valuable as his scoring. His departure is significant, but the better news for Gophers fans is that not many will follow him off campus this spring.

Junior defenseman Nick Seeler could be another. Like Fasching, he's expected to graduate this spring, and it's uncertain if Seeler will return for a final year.

Seeler sat out last season after transferring from Nebraska-Omaha and will turn 23 in June. He was a fifth-round draft pick in 2011 by the Wild and could pursue an entry-level contract. Seeler provided the Gophers with a big physical presence on the back end and contributed 10 assists. He also had a team-best plus-21 rating and 91 blocks.

The rest of the Gophers' high-end talent and 10 other draft picks might need more time to develop.

The team's leading scorer and captain, Justin Kloos, is undrafted, but he could attract interest as a free agent. The forward totaled 43 points (16 goals, 27 assists) and helped lead a young team to a fifth consecutive regular-season conference championship.

Kloos has standout speed and though he is 5-9, 180 pounds, has proven he's able to compete against bigger skaters. He's totaled 30-plus points each of the past three seasons and led the 2013-2014 national runner-up team with 16 goals.

Kloos didn't commit to returning for his senior year after the Gophers' season ended with a loss in the Big Ten tournament championship game last week.

Sophomore forward Leon Bristedt showed off his impressive skating and stickhandling skills at times throughout the season and matched Fasching's 20 goals. Bristedt also had 17 assists for 37 points and a plus-18 rating. The Swedish-born player blossomed this year after struggling to acclimate as a freshman. Though he is also undrafted, teams might show interest.

Junior defensemen Michael Brodzinski and Jake Bischoff both had good years and have their draft rights owned by the San Jose Sharks and New York Islanders, respectively. Forwards Tyler Sheehy (30 points, undrafted) and Tommy Novak (27 points, Nashville Predators) highlighted the large freshmen class, but struggled to produce until the second half of the season.

Undrafted freshman goalie Eric Schierhorn was the Big Ten Goaltender of the Year, but will defend the Gophers' net for at least one more year.

The Gophers announced their early signing class — Ryan Lindgren (Minneapolis), Sam Rossini (Inver Grove Heights), Ryan Zuhlsdorf (Edina), Garrett Wait (Edina) and Rem Pitlick (Plymouth) in November and most are expected to enroll in the fall. Zuhlsdorf, Rossini and Lindgren would help fill any holes left on defense. Wait and Pitlick (led the USHL with 40 goals, 37 assists) are expected to help boost the Gophers' offense, which struggled to be consistent this season.

Last year, Mike Reilly, Adam Wilcox and Brad Skjei all left after their junior season. Fasching will be missed, but there isn't likely to be many more goodbyes this spring.