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Posted: **Mon Feb 27, 2023 6:20 pm**

EDIT - forgot to add Vally. @Jayboy please update the side bar when you get a moment as that is where I nicked the list from

Yes I’m already thinking about next season as in my head I’ve already written this one off.

My thoughts as arm chair coach of the players I’d keep let go……

Forwards:

08 Mason Mitchell - No
12 Daniel Ciampini - No
17 Evan Mosey - Yes
19 Tomáš Pitule - No
20 Jonathan Phillips - Retiring
21 Alex Graham - Yes
25 Brett Neumann - No
27 Cole Shudra - Yes
29 Scott Allen - No
62 Martin Latal - No
63 Brendan Connolly - No
74 Brandon Whistle - Yes
75 Robert Dowd - Yes as Captain
79 Danny Kristo - No
88 Marc-Olivier Vallerand - No
92 Brandon McNally - Yes

Defenders:

05 Carl Ackered - No
13 Davey Phillips - No (unless we can’t find a suitable Brit replacement)
22 Matt Petgrave - No
28 Kevin Schulze - No
44 Sam Jones - Yes
57 Niklas Nevalainen - No
58 Sébastien Piché - No

Netminders:

01 Matt Greenfield - Yes please!!! Will he re-sign though with no doubt higher interest.
30 Hayden Lavigne - Not seen him play
34 Curtis Warburton - Yes
72 Jordan McLaughlin - Yes

Pretty big clear out required for me.

Posted: **Mon Feb 27, 2023 7:22 pm**

Absolutely for me is a top top goal scorer!!! a go to player who contributes in EVERY game! Belfast have 2 maybe 3 and Guilford have 1, that's why their at the top of the league, coupled with a top 9.2+ netminder and you are in business. Vallerand coming back was great but he's found goals hard to come by too! I don't think Ciampini is a top player!! We should never have taken Connelly back after his injury and the wait for Mitchell was questionable.
Latal was brilliant last year but he's been very disappointing overall, Allen has taken months to get going and to understand this league and he would be a better bet for next season.
Can't make my mind up about Petgrave, creates so much but is a liability in some situations (mirrors O Conner)
We can do far better than McNally. Pitule is a definite no!
Greenfield a big yes!
I'd keep the rest and build from there.

Posted: **Mon Feb 27, 2023 7:36 pm**

Regarding imports , for me the only definate returnee would be greenfield and a maybe would be nevalainen

Posted: **Mon Feb 27, 2023 9:38 pm**

Personally I would keep Neumann he is young and eager to improve
Connolly past it now due to injuries, latel don’t know what is wrong with him I expected more from mcnally, greenfield I would keep in a heartbeat but I fear he will move to pastures new mosey I would keep valley am not sure piche ? The other imports ? And I would not pick down as the captain but am sure I am in the minority

Posted: **Tue Feb 28, 2023 11:33 am**

smbmetal wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 27, 2023 6:20 pm
Yes I’m already thinking about next season as in my head I’ve already written this one off.

My thoughts as arm chair coach of the players I’d keep let go……

Forwards:

08 Mason Mitchell - No
12 Daniel Ciampini - No
17 Evan Mosey - Yes
19 Tomáš Pitule - No
20 Jonathan Phillips - Retiring
21 Alex Graham - Yes
25 Brett Neumann - No
27 Cole Shudra - Yes
29 Scott Allen - No
62 Martin Latal - No
63 Brendan Connolly - No
74 Brandon Whistle - Yes
75 Robert Dowd - Yes as Captain
79 Danny Kristo - No
92 Brandon McNally - Yes

Defenders:

05 Carl Ackered - No
13 Davey Phillips - No (unless we can’t find a suitable Brit replacement)
22 Matt Petgrave - No
28 Kevin Schulze - No
44 Sam Jones - Yes
57 Niklas Nevalainen - No
58 Sébastien Piché - No

Netminders:

01 Matt Greenfield - Yes please!!! Will he re-sign though with no doubt higher interest.
30 Hayden Lavigne - Not seen him play
34 Curtis Warburton - Yes
72 Jordan McLaughlin - Yes

Pretty big clear out required for me.

Interesting to see a complete (almost) clear out of the D, despite us still being the best defensive team (statistically), a large part of this being Greenfield obviously but I still think I'd keep a few.

Definitely want to retain all the Brits for me I think next year, especially with Jono's retirement, we will see more of Graham and hopefully Shudra as well.

Interesting takes on the forward group as well, we've certainly struggled recently with offense but I don't think it's a lack of talent in there. Surprised to see McNally and Mosey are the only import forwards you'd retain.

Posted: **Tue Feb 28, 2023 12:27 pm**

For me the players I'd keep are:

Greenfield - I doubt anybody would disagree with this.

Petgrave - I really don't get the negativity. Statistically Petgrave and Nevalainen are the best defensive pairing in the league, only the top Cardiff pairing come close on +/-

Nevalainen - As above.

Jones - I think he's missed ASD as a partner, but he's a Brit with a lot of potential.

Dowd - Still a quality Brit.

Whistle - Lots of potential.

Graham - Lots of potential.

I'd also look at adding Shudra and/or Brown who have both had outstanding seasons with Leeds. I'd probably go with 5 import defencemen.

Latal - Still has the speed.

Outside of the above I'd like to see a younger bunch of imports including a few from the ECHL.

Regards

Doom

Posted: **Tue Feb 28, 2023 12:30 pm**

JoeySlats#13 wrote: ↑
Tue Feb 28, 2023 11:33 am

smbmetal wrote: ↑
Mon Feb 27, 2023 6:20 pm
Yes I’m already thinking about next season as in my head I’ve already written this one off.

My thoughts as arm chair coach of the players I’d keep let go……

Forwards:

08 Mason Mitchell - No
12 Daniel Ciampini - No
17 Evan Mosey - Yes
19 Tomáš Pitule - No
20 Jonathan Phillips - Retiring
21 Alex Graham - Yes
25 Brett Neumann - No
27 Cole Shudra - Yes
29 Scott Allen - No
62 Martin Latal - No
63 Brendan Connolly - No
74 Brandon Whistle - Yes
75 Robert Dowd - Yes as Captain
79 Danny Kristo - No
92 Brandon McNally - Yes

Defenders:

05 Carl Ackered - No
13 Davey Phillips - No (unless we can’t find a suitable Brit replacement)
22 Matt Petgrave - No
28 Kevin Schulze - No
44 Sam Jones - Yes
57 Niklas Nevalainen - No
58 Sébastien Piché - No

Netminders:

01 Matt Greenfield - Yes please!!! Will he re-sign though with no doubt higher interest.
30 Hayden Lavigne - Not seen him play
34 Curtis Warburton - Yes
72 Jordan McLaughlin - Yes

Pretty big clear out required for me.
Interesting to see a complete (almost) clear out of the D, despite us still being the best defensive team (statistically), a large part of this being Greenfield obviously but I still think I'd keep a few.

Definitely want to retain all the Brits for me I think next year, especially with Jono's retirement, we will see more of Graham and hopefully Shudra as well.

Interesting takes on the forward group as well, we've certainly struggled recently with offense but I don't think it's a lack of talent in there. Surprised to see McNally and Mosey are the only import forwards you'd retain.

I did um and arr about the D to be honest and don't dispute the likes of Petgrave and Nevalainen have done well certainly as a pair, but as arm chair coach I want my D to be more physical.....There's been many an occasion where players have not been cleared from the crease which boils my blood.

I don't believe there should be a homegrown/brit rule at all as I'm from the school of if they're good enough they'll play and the likes of Jones & Whistle would both get in my team.

Agreed that we have talent in the offence, but that doesn't mean I'd keep many. I've kept McNally as I want to build my team around toughness and I believe he's been kept firmly on a leash from Fox to temper that side of his game.

Just to let you know most of my team would be suspended every week

But what I could guarantee is the hockey would be entertaining and the atmosphere would be awesome! Just look at the hand bags towards the end of the last Coventry game at home, the atmosphere was great!

Successful Steelers teams of old were built on grit and in your face hockey. Those teams won tons and tons of trophies while being able to play entertaining hockey. Yes, the game has changed, but there's still room for that type of hockey IMO.

Posted: **Tue Feb 28, 2023 12:49 pm**

Here's my current keep list:

08 Mason Mitchell - MAYBE - not seen a huge amount of him due to injuries, I liked his physical game, looked useful around the net, decent bottom 9?
12 Daniel Ciampini - YES - under appreciated, our top point scorer, very smart forward at both ends
17 Evan Mosey - YES - good depth forward who can cover on D
19 Tomáš Pitule - NO - been decent but not overly physical or speedy
20 Jonathan Phillips - NA
21 Alex Graham - YES - more time in orange I'd imagine, as a minimum he gets Jono's minutes, but ideally some looks higher up, similar to Whistle's development
25 Brett Neumann - YES - speedy and decent points, can play C or RW, could see more goals next season as he creates a lot, similar to Eberle's first season
27 Cole Shudra - YES - maybe part of Brit 4th line with Whistle and Graham? Need the young lads to break through sooner rather than later. Can also play D
29 Scott Allen - YES - good goal scorer, good penalty killer and good chemistry with Ciampini and Neumann when they were going together
62 Martin Latal - YES - creates so much from pure foot speed, got a feeling he may not return though
63 Brendan Connolly - NO - had a good run of games after a slow start but can't see him back again
74 Brandon Whistle - YES - been good all season with whatever role he's played, good on PK, could see 3rd line permanently next year?
75 Robert Dowd - YES - probably as captain, an absolute must keep!
79 Danny Kristo - NO - started well, particularly on the PP - can't see him back though
88 Marco Vallerand - YES - a definite keep for me, good at both ends and gives us offense
92 Brandon McNally - NO - been ok sometimes when I've seen him but not enough of any one thing i.e. not great numbers and doesn't hit that much

Defenders
05 Carl Ackered - MAYBE - a good weapon on the PP in particular but maybe no space if Piche stays
13 Davey Phillips - YES - defense first and breaks up play well, can be physical when needed - can't see him not back unless he retires, then we'd need Shudra
22 Matt Petgrave - YES - probably some would disagree, he's a talent produces a lot of offense and his partnership with Nevalainen is a must keep for me
28 Kevin Schulze - YES - quietly goes about his business, which as a D can go unrecognised, makes very few errors and can skate extremely well
44 Sam Jones - YES - been less effective without Piche as their partnership seemed to be working well, but still an easy retain
57 Niklas Nevalainen - YES - arguably our best D man, excellent in both ends always seems to be in right place - Petgrave partnership has been consistent
58 Sébastien Piché - YES - missed him since his injury in terms of PP shot, partnership with Jones etc. an easy keep for me

Netminders
01 Matt Greenfield - HELL YES! - an absolute must keep if we can, been outstanding all season long - player of the season for me
30 Hayden Lavigne - NA
34 Curtis Warburton - YES - assume same role as this season
72 Jordan McLaughlin - YES - assume same role as this season

As a pipe dream (just for fun!):

Ciampini-Allen-Neumann
DeLuca-Dowd-Vallerand
Eberle-NEW-Mosey
Shudra-Whistle-Graham

Nevalainen-Petgrave
Piche-Jones
Schulze-Davey

Greenfield
Warburton / McLaughlin

Posted: **Tue Feb 28, 2023 1:45 pm**

JoeySlats#13 wrote: ↑
Tue Feb 28, 2023 12:49 pm
Here's my current keep list:

08 Mason Mitchell - MAYBE - not seen a huge amount of him due to injuries, I liked his physical game, looked useful around the net, decent bottom 9?
12 Daniel Ciampini - YES - under appreciated, our top point scorer, very smart forward at both ends
17 Evan Mosey - YES - good depth forward who can cover on D
19 Tomáš Pitule - NO - been decent but not overly physical or speedy
20 Jonathan Phillips - NA
21 Alex Graham - YES - more time in orange I'd imagine, as a minimum he gets Jono's minutes, but ideally some looks higher up, similar to Whistle's development
25 Brett Neumann - YES - speedy and decent points, can play C or RW, could see more goals next season as he creates a lot, similar to Eberle's first season
27 Cole Shudra - YES - maybe part of Brit 4th line with Whistle and Graham? Need the young lads to break through sooner rather than later. Can also play D
29 Scott Allen - YES - good goal scorer, good penalty killer and good chemistry with Ciampini and Neumann when they were going together
62 Martin Latal - YES - creates so much from pure foot speed, got a feeling he may not return though
63 Brendan Connolly - NO - had a good run of games after a slow start but can't see him back again
74 Brandon Whistle - YES - been good all season with whatever role he's played, good on PK, could see 3rd line permanently next year?
75 Robert Dowd - YES - probably as captain, an absolute must keep!
79 Danny Kristo - NO - started well, particularly on the PP - can't see him back though
88 Marco Vallerand - YES - a definite keep for me, good at both ends and gives us offense
92 Brandon McNally - NO - been ok sometimes when I've seen him but not enough of any one thing i.e. not great numbers and doesn't hit that much

Defenders
05 Carl Ackered - MAYBE - a good weapon on the PP in particular but maybe no space if Piche stays
13 Davey Phillips - YES - defense first and breaks up play well, can be physical when needed - can't see him not back unless he retires, then we'd need Shudra
22 Matt Petgrave - YES - probably some would disagree, he's a talent produces a lot of offense and his partnership with Nevalainen is a must keep for me
28 Kevin Schulze - YES - quietly goes about his business, which as a D can go unrecognised, makes very few errors and can skate extremely well
44 Sam Jones - YES - been less effective without Piche as their partnership seemed to be working well, but still an easy retain
57 Niklas Nevalainen - YES - arguably our best D man, excellent in both ends always seems to be in right place - Petgrave partnership has been consistent
58 Sébastien Piché - YES - missed him since his injury in terms of PP shot, partnership with Jones etc. an easy keep for me

Netminders
01 Matt Greenfield - HELL YES! - an absolute must keep if we can, been outstanding all season long - player of the season for me
30 Hayden Lavigne - NA
34 Curtis Warburton - YES - assume same role as this season
72 Jordan McLaughlin - YES - assume same role as this season

As a pipe dream (just for fun!):

Ciampini-Allen-Neumann
DeLuca-Dowd-Vallerand
Eberle-NEW-Mosey
Shudra-Whistle-Graham

Nevalainen-Petgrave
Piche-Jones
Schulze-Davey

Greenfield
Warburton / McLaughlin

The problem with this is its barely changing up a team that has fallen off spectacularly the second half of this season. Will the team be different enough to take us up the few places that we need to to challenge for the league title again?
Would eberle and deluca with a new import forward do the necessary? I'm not sure.
I'm not sure about Dowd as second line centre too. We've tried all sorts to fill the centre roles this year with limited success.

Posted: **Thu Mar 02, 2023 12:00 am**

I think Greenfield & Nevalainen be tough to replace, the other imports can be readily replaced in the market. Only maybes would be one of Piché & Ackered as we could find better players fairly easy but their shot would be very difficult to replace.

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