NCAA hockey: An early look at 2019-20’s top contenders

Cornell Big Red forward Morgan Barron ( M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The dust has just settled on the 2018-19 college hockey season, but coaches across the country have already turned their focus to 2019-20.

While it’s far too early to know what each team will look like, it’s not unreasonable to have a good guess on what each of the top contenders will have once October rolls around. Early departures, recruits de-committing or turning pro before getting to school, or additional recruits being added are all possibilities.

The balance of power certainly has shifted to the NCHC with the conference winning four straight NCAA championships, starting with North Dakota and Denver and now with two straight from Minnesota Duluth.