Go to any rink in Minnesota in the off-season and the talk will certainly point to next year. "Team X is going to great next year" and "Team Y added Player B, they will be way better...." are phrases we hear. 

The best part about having a sports website is...speculation. Here is our take on what next year may look like around the rink. 

Editorial Disclaimer: these choices are based on what we know today, one move-in (e.g. Jack Jensen and Bobby Brink) or one move-up to high school (e.g. Trevor Janicke and Jackson Jutting) and the speculation winds change direction in a snap.

1. Edina - one of the top teams at PeeWee AA two years ago, the Hornets will skate well, have good size and compete. Unlike the Hornet teams the last two years, this one will not likely lose players to the high school or privates making them a very strong team night in and night out.

Players to Watch: Jake Boltmann, Cole Cavanagh and Ramsey Bell

2. Minneapolis - unlike the Hornets, the Storm could be vulnerable to a key loss or two to private schools. If they are able to sustain the nucleus of the team they had two seasons ago at PeeWee AA, they could make a run to state.

Players to Watch: Joe Miller, Will Mortenson and Kiron Morioka

3. Blaine - this team will be loaded, they will have a lot of size and deep with talent. A deep run at state is very realistic.

Players to Watch: Carson Richels, John Buzick and Brandon Benson

4. Prior Lake - the defending champs from PeeWees two years ago, the Lakers will be very good top to bottom. 

Players to Watch: Stevan Blauert, Nick Speltz and Carsen Stokes

5. Moorhead - the Spuds return several players from a team that came a goal away from winning state. Coach Dale Lund has lead the Spuds to third and second place finishes the last two year, could next year be their year?

Players to Watch: Cullen Gess, Luke Gramer, and Caden Triggs

Don't Overlook: Andover, Cloquet, Elk River, Minnetonka and Osseo Maple Grove. 

Top "A" teams

Alexandria, Edina, JCNSP, Orono and Warroad

1. Andover - the Huskies were nearly unbeatable two years ago at the squirt level. They will have a great combination of skill and compete level. One only wonders if they could possibly go undefeated, they will be that strong.

Players to Watch: Austin Brauns, Kyle Law and Logan Seward

2. Edina - the Hornets will 17 new skaters next Fall, their '15-'16 team was all second year skaters. We suspect that there will be a few first years this year. We also suspect that the Hornets will be as talented as ever. 

Players to Watch: Mitchell Dokman, Nick Mikan and Wyatt Wurst

3. Osseo Maple Grove - this will be a very talented group, much like Edina, the Leafbirds will have 17 newcomers to the lineup. Two years ago, OMG came at you in waves with a long string of highly skilled skaters. 

Players to Watch: Ty Friedrichs, Josh Giuliani and William Matzke

4. Moorhead - Two years ago the Spud squirt A team ended OMG's 96 game unbeaten streak - their undersized and young PWAA team showed great improvement last year. Never trust a potato.

Players to Watch: Abe Carlson, Gavin Lindberg and Justin Stalboerger

5. Woodbury - a great base of talent with star power in all three zones. The Preds won a lot of games two years ago and with the right move-in may be a favorite to win state.

Players to Watch: Marko Belak, Drew Fisher, Dylan Godbout and Gabe Rasmussen

Don't Overlook: Chaska Chan, Duluth East, Eden Prairie, Hermantown and Mahtomedi

Top "A" teams

Duluth Denfeld, Edina, JCNSP, Mounds View Irondale and Mound Westonka.

1. Osseo Maple Grove - in case you have been living under a rock the last four years, the Osseo and Maple Grove Squirt teams have been dominant. Stringing together nearly 200 wins and a fairly deep hardware collection.

Player to Watch: Gavin Anderson, Danny Nelson and Connor Steljes

2. Edina - no matter how you slice it, the two Edina squirt teams have done well since splitting into two even teams in 2012-13. Each of those years, one or both of the teams has registered a number of big wins. Next year looks to be no different

Players to Watch: Barrett Dexheimer, Jackson Nevers and Ben Sanderson

3. Hermantown - the Hawks had a great season last year - a sign that the hockey crazy town near Duluth is building a strong program for another generation to come.

Players to Watch: Max Plante and Dallas Vieau

4. Chaska Chanhassen - one of the best teams at squirts last year at both the squirt A and B level, the Stormhawks could have their break out season next year.

Players to Watch: Jack Crhist, Caleb Heil and Brodie Ziemer

5. Andover - much like OMG, the Huskies have had a great run at the squirt level the past few years. Next year, they have a handful of key players returning which will make them dangerous.

Players to Watch: Brooks Cogswell, Caden Martin and Landon Stringfellow, 

Don't Overlook: Eden Prairie, Mahtomedi, Minnetonka, Rosemount and Stillwater