Can't complain - on paper it's a trophy challenging roster, which is all you can ask for.
To me it's a 3 horse race for the big prize - Sheffield, Belfast and Nottingham. Not much to choose between the line ups at all. Cardiff/Glasgow the most likely to upset that top 3.
Playoffs and CC could drop a surprise - don't think there's any real stinkers of teams, but I'd say bottom 3 are Dundee, Fife and Manchester
line up so far - how's it looking?
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paul johnston
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I fancy him to look at...
Balmas, Harper, Gentile (why not, been skating together)
Juus, Pu, Seitz
Jasper, Dowd, Tait
Shudra, Tremblay, Neilson.
I can't imagine the centres will change lines, Balms will always be top line. However can see Juus, Seitz, Jasper, Gentile and Tait being moved and tried throughout those top three lines. As always it's about finding the right chemistry there.
Seven new import forwards for us is some change, so makes great sense to have brought in two quality players from within the league who have walked the walk in our league and know the ins and outs of the league.
Balmas, Harper, Gentile (why not, been skating together)
Juus, Pu, Seitz
Jasper, Dowd, Tait
Shudra, Tremblay, Neilson.
I can't imagine the centres will change lines, Balms will always be top line. However can see Juus, Seitz, Jasper, Gentile and Tait being moved and tried throughout those top three lines. As always it's about finding the right chemistry there.
Seven new import forwards for us is some change, so makes great sense to have brought in two quality players from within the league who have walked the walk in our league and know the ins and outs of the league.
It will be good to get a first look at the new players on Saturday, because all we have to work on with the majority is Elite Prospects and the snippets of information we can pick up here and there.
McAdam should be a solid number 2 in goal and someone who can be trusted when Fox thinks Greener needs a rest. He posted between 90.7% and 91.9% at Guildford. I'd expect him to post at the upper end of that range for us, which is acceptable for a number 2.
I like the look of both new defencemen, although disappointed to see Saucerman leave.
I wasn't sure about Southorn at first, mainly because he was 2nd fiddle to Kyle Hardy in France. On reflection he probably curbed his attacking instincts and left that side of the game to Hardy. In previous seasons he's put up some very impressive numbers in leagues much better than ours, including solid +/-. I think he could be a very good offensive defenceman.
Dougherty on the other hand looks like a solid stay at home defenceman. The sort of player you put on the ice when you lead by one goal with 30 seconds remaining.
I've got less enthusiasm regarding the new forwards, for me none of them look to have the quality and consistency of some of our rivals new signings (Pearson, Eriksson, Grasso), but they do all look to be decent additions.
Harper would be my pick of the bunch. Probably not his best season last year, but he's put up some good numbers with solid +/- over the years.
Seitz is an intriguing signing. 3rd top scorer in the league last season, but can he repeat that in a new team where he's unlikely to be the go to player? He's not shown that sort of goal scoring in the past, but hopefully our league suits his game.
My mate is convinced Gentile will be the surprise package, excellent USports numbers last season and his one professional season to date was reasonably successsful.
Pu has played in some very good leagues, but I'm not convinced he'll put up big numbers, although I suspect he'll be solid defensively.
I'm not sure what to make of Jasper. Some of his +/- figures are brutal, but he did put up some decent numbers in DEL and had a solid season in Czechia.
Tait seems to have gone backwards since joining our league, but hopefully a fresh start with new line mates will get him back to his best.
Overall I'm happy with the squad, which on paper looks very fast and should be competitive.
Our main rivals are also looking very strong though, so it should be a good tight season.
Saturday we'll be doing our usual league predictions. I know who my top 3 are, but I still haven't decided my order.
Regards
Doom
McAdam should be a solid number 2 in goal and someone who can be trusted when Fox thinks Greener needs a rest. He posted between 90.7% and 91.9% at Guildford. I'd expect him to post at the upper end of that range for us, which is acceptable for a number 2.
I like the look of both new defencemen, although disappointed to see Saucerman leave.
I wasn't sure about Southorn at first, mainly because he was 2nd fiddle to Kyle Hardy in France. On reflection he probably curbed his attacking instincts and left that side of the game to Hardy. In previous seasons he's put up some very impressive numbers in leagues much better than ours, including solid +/-. I think he could be a very good offensive defenceman.
Dougherty on the other hand looks like a solid stay at home defenceman. The sort of player you put on the ice when you lead by one goal with 30 seconds remaining.
I've got less enthusiasm regarding the new forwards, for me none of them look to have the quality and consistency of some of our rivals new signings (Pearson, Eriksson, Grasso), but they do all look to be decent additions.
Harper would be my pick of the bunch. Probably not his best season last year, but he's put up some good numbers with solid +/- over the years.
Seitz is an intriguing signing. 3rd top scorer in the league last season, but can he repeat that in a new team where he's unlikely to be the go to player? He's not shown that sort of goal scoring in the past, but hopefully our league suits his game.
My mate is convinced Gentile will be the surprise package, excellent USports numbers last season and his one professional season to date was reasonably successsful.
Pu has played in some very good leagues, but I'm not convinced he'll put up big numbers, although I suspect he'll be solid defensively.
I'm not sure what to make of Jasper. Some of his +/- figures are brutal, but he did put up some decent numbers in DEL and had a solid season in Czechia.
Tait seems to have gone backwards since joining our league, but hopefully a fresh start with new line mates will get him back to his best.
Overall I'm happy with the squad, which on paper looks very fast and should be competitive.
Our main rivals are also looking very strong though, so it should be a good tight season.
Saturday we'll be doing our usual league predictions. I know who my top 3 are, but I still haven't decided my order.
Regards
Doom
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ginger
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Goalies - absolutely cannot complain. Arguably the best tandem on paper - certainly on par with other contenders. If McAdam hits 91.5% that's great for a backup.
D - like it, although still not sure who sits when all fit. I'm ok with Sauce departure, especially as I see Dougherty as his replacement. I think he's going to be an absolute beast who'll eat minutes and pucks, and should have a great first pass. Getting a slightly less offensive Bolibruck vibe. I think the possible answer on who sits is a Diffley/Southorn rotation - Diff if a shutdown job is needed, Southorn if need the extra offense/PP quarterback. Need a big season from Kelly, who'll need to hit the ground running. If not I think Liam Steele may well be chomping at the bit to get a call up.
Forwards - like the returning list, and like the add of Neilson - gives the 4th a bit more offensive threat, especially given Tremblay's very good 2 way ability. Gentile is either going to absolutely pop off and rack up serious points, or he's going to struggle with the physicality. If he knows how to use his lack of size (watch Patrick Kane for the masterclass on this), he's got the potential to be amongst the top scorers in the league. I always expect Fox signings to be good on both sides of the puck, and don't expect anything different from the newbies. Pu and Harper give us great size at centre and different style options - Harper more power forward, Pu more speed/skill and creativity. Jasper I think is going to be fine, was a little low on him but more I've looked at his stats, the more there is to like. Also from the few clips, interviews etc i think he's got a bit of the character we lose with Vally leaving. He's also built like a truck for a smaller guy. Seitz is a great pick up - weirdly under the radar compared to Gresock and Regush, but 3rd top scorer in the league. Really good vision, a bit of grit, speed and can put the puck in the net.
All of the top 9 are proven ppg in the league, or have a CV that suggests capable of it. A good 4th line that has at least 1 player who could be a 3rd line regular. Really can't complain at the depth
D - like it, although still not sure who sits when all fit. I'm ok with Sauce departure, especially as I see Dougherty as his replacement. I think he's going to be an absolute beast who'll eat minutes and pucks, and should have a great first pass. Getting a slightly less offensive Bolibruck vibe. I think the possible answer on who sits is a Diffley/Southorn rotation - Diff if a shutdown job is needed, Southorn if need the extra offense/PP quarterback. Need a big season from Kelly, who'll need to hit the ground running. If not I think Liam Steele may well be chomping at the bit to get a call up.
Forwards - like the returning list, and like the add of Neilson - gives the 4th a bit more offensive threat, especially given Tremblay's very good 2 way ability. Gentile is either going to absolutely pop off and rack up serious points, or he's going to struggle with the physicality. If he knows how to use his lack of size (watch Patrick Kane for the masterclass on this), he's got the potential to be amongst the top scorers in the league. I always expect Fox signings to be good on both sides of the puck, and don't expect anything different from the newbies. Pu and Harper give us great size at centre and different style options - Harper more power forward, Pu more speed/skill and creativity. Jasper I think is going to be fine, was a little low on him but more I've looked at his stats, the more there is to like. Also from the few clips, interviews etc i think he's got a bit of the character we lose with Vally leaving. He's also built like a truck for a smaller guy. Seitz is a great pick up - weirdly under the radar compared to Gresock and Regush, but 3rd top scorer in the league. Really good vision, a bit of grit, speed and can put the puck in the net.
All of the top 9 are proven ppg in the league, or have a CV that suggests capable of it. A good 4th line that has at least 1 player who could be a 3rd line regular. Really can't complain at the depth
Well out of a thousand or so fans that have voted in the EIHL fan poll, it’s a 3rd placed finish and no silverware for us.
https://www.eliteleague.co.uk/article/4 ... results-in
I really don’t think Belfast will be anywhere near the top this season. Really don’t rate their side at all, at least compared to previous seasons. Yes, they have the best Brit core, but most Brits are of average import quality at best for me.
I’m sure we’ll win at least one trophy this season.
https://www.eliteleague.co.uk/article/4 ... results-in
I really don’t think Belfast will be anywhere near the top this season. Really don’t rate their side at all, at least compared to previous seasons. Yes, they have the best Brit core, but most Brits are of average import quality at best for me.
I’m sure we’ll win at least one trophy this season.
Thank goodness for that, I wouldn't want to be favourites.
After pre-season there do remain questions for me with regards to our squad, particularly our new forwards.
Tait has put to bed any concerns I had about his drop in form at Guildford and Harper has been solid as I would have expected.
Pu looks responsible defensively, but I'm not yet seeing a player who will get close to a point per game. From what I've seen so far, which is only 2 games to be fair, it wouldn't shock me to see Pu and Tremblay switched at some point.
We'll also need to be much better at faceoffs if we want to compete with the likes of Belfast and Nottingham.
We look like a team with potential, but for me, success will be down to what we get out of the likes of Seitz, Pu, Gentile and Jasper. If they start having a significant impact, we'll be in a very good place.
Regards
Doom
After pre-season there do remain questions for me with regards to our squad, particularly our new forwards.
Tait has put to bed any concerns I had about his drop in form at Guildford and Harper has been solid as I would have expected.
Pu looks responsible defensively, but I'm not yet seeing a player who will get close to a point per game. From what I've seen so far, which is only 2 games to be fair, it wouldn't shock me to see Pu and Tremblay switched at some point.
We'll also need to be much better at faceoffs if we want to compete with the likes of Belfast and Nottingham.
We look like a team with potential, but for me, success will be down to what we get out of the likes of Seitz, Pu, Gentile and Jasper. If they start having a significant impact, we'll be in a very good place.
Regards
Doom
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Firefox1001
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After Manchester I was a bit worried, but that's much better.Firefox1001 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 15, 2025 3:01 pmWe went 29-25 in our favour in Cardiff & 33-30 in our favour V Guildford.
Pu had a very good game in the dot at Cardiff.
Regards
Doom