Rumours - Season 24/25

[ginger]

And unfortunately we've had some in the past - Cullen Eddy and Michael Davies to name 2

I'm lost?

Both appear to be big supporters of Trump and all the wonderful right wing views prevalent on social media.

Mike Ratchuk also falls in to this category

I know Mike Ratchuk personally and talk often, a very nice chap, with honest and forth right views, many I haven't agreed with him on, also had some major issues in his life and has overcome many of them too. It's worth adding he adores the Sheffield Steelers and the fans
Base and was desperate to come back to play at a very difficult part of his life...
He follows our games closely and loved the grand slam achievements.
Some people in America have a very squewed view on patriotism and political opinions. It does not make them bad people or players, it just doesn't, however sometimes it does.. Each person should be judged individually not collectively..
That's called tolerance, I bet you a pound to a poo cavered dollar some of our grand slam squad players (in other words some of the best players we have ever had) any of them, have rather odd political views when there back home..

Sent from my SM-S918B using Tapatalk

To be honest, I was being diplomatic in that post. Essentially if you're happy to be openly racist/homophobic on social media, you'll be even more confident to be so in a dressing room. How would a racist go down in a room where we had 2 black players (at the start of the year)?

Issues like taxes/guns etc - fine. Don't care, that's individual choice.

Racists/homophobes - either keep it to yourself and accept your views are abhorrent, or go play in Russia where they love that stuff

[lovedenisvial]

On the topic of Liam Kirk, I thought there was talk of him signing in Germany for a top team there?

[ginger]

On the topic of Liam Kirk, I thought there was talk of him signing in Germany for a top team there?

Done deal apparently, but no official announcement yet I believe. He's off to Berlin. Great move for him as money will be really good, and I think will suit his game. If he shines there it potentially opens up moves to either the NL (top Swiss league) or to SHL or Liiga. If he really kicks on and does well, there's even an outside chance of getting an NHL/AHL two way deal if he wants another shot at the show

[ginger]

As if by magic, Kirk to Berlin is now official

[greeny]

Not a lot to hear at moment about players leaving us and signing for another club which is not bad at this stage...i feel that any player that was not happy here would of made it known they were moving on

[ginger]

Sounds like Greenfield is returning - Simms interviewed at CHL draw by a French journalist was asked about him and suggested he'll be facing the teams we've drawn.

I'd also agree with greeny above - no further departures really been rumoured/happened yet so I think this is positive in terms of players coming back.

David Morley looks to have signed in DEL2 so that rumour looks to be not happening now.

[Doom]

I've been out with my mate for a couple of beers tonight and we always like to study stats.

A couple of things jumped out tonight in our conversations:

1. Riley Brandt - Why is he so hopeless in Cardiff?

You look at his numbers in USports and he should be banging in at least 20 goals.

2. Vally - I remember the lead up to Christmas suggesting he should be dropped. He had an absolutely awful run.

In 2024 his goalscoring was on track for a 35 goal season, the majority on the powerplay. What a transformation.

Regards

Doom

[teeLIST]

It is a bit of an odd one with Brandt. He only really had one full year in USports as it seems he missed the majority of the following few years. His TOI was averaging around 14m p/g in that first year. Last season in the league he averaged around 9:40.

He’s loved by those lot down in Cardiff, but personally I’d be livid if we were spending import money on a forward with that level of production.

I mentioned in a conversation earlier that I’d happily take Vally back, but would also understand the decision to go younger. Of course with that, comes the uncertainty that they will produce similar if not better than Vally.

I've been out with my mate for a couple of beers tonight and we always like to study stats.

A couple of things jumped out tonight in our conversations:

1. Riley Brandt - Why is he so hopeless in Cardiff?

You look at his numbers in USports and he should be banging in at least 20 goals. He out scored some top players at our level in USports.

2. Vally - I remember the lead up to Christmas suggesting he should be dropped. He had an absolutely awful run.

In 2024 his goalscoring was on track for a 35 goal season, the majority on the powerplay. What a transformation.

Regards

Doom

[Doom]

I agree I wouldn't want Brandt near our team, because he just doesn't score enough to justify an import spot, but in the past he clearly has had the goalscoring touch.

28 goals in 40 USports games is very impressive. In comparison Jake Coughler scored 27 from 60 games and Mathieu Lemay scored 31 from 72 games.

Both of those have scored well in our league, yet Brandt can't hit a barn door from a yard. I wonder if the larger ice doesn't suit his game or maybe it will just click next season and he'll start banging them in. It seems a real odd one.

Regards

Doom

[ginger]

Brandt - shows the difference between USports and pro. Some players adapt their game and continue scoring in to pro and others struggle. Given Brandt is now in his 3rd year pro, I'd expect this is his game now, and he's never going to be a good scorer at pro. Cardiff fans love his physicality and his defensive game did improve a bit last year. He's ok if you don't need his line to be productive in terms of points. That's why he wouldn't fit in with Fox's system as it demands all 4 lines to carry offensive threat.

Personally, I think we have a much better version in Cole Shudra - physicality, added size and a better scorer. Plus he's British and ceiling for his skills is higher. Brandt was well over 10 points behind our lowest scoring import (Allen) last year.

Depends on how Russell is building his team, but I'm guessing he's looking for a very high output from his top 2 lines given the signing of O'Brien, and from D with Fournier back.


On Vally - no doubt he's started to slow down a little, but his natural goalscoring ability is as sharp as ever, as shown on his PP totals. He's also responsible in his own end so definitely can still contribute effectively, but I don't think he can really drive a line like he could a few years ago. It depends on what he wants to do as he's getting closer to retirement age, but if he came back as 3rd line/PP specialist I'd be pretty happy with that.

My ideal 3rd line though next year is Allen/Simpson/Shudra

I think Cole deserves it, and 3 big bodies with Simpson winning draws is a tasty prospect. After watching the WC, I really think Cole has what it takes to get up to regular 2nd line minutes if he can keep progressing offensively.