Next Season - Current Roster - Keep or Move On?

[ekt]

I held off until they played their last game.
We need a major clearout.

Forwards:

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

Defenders:

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

Netminders:

01 Matt Greenfield - Yes
30 Hayden Lavigne - No
34 Curtis Warburton - Yes (only since hes a brit)
72 Jordan McLaughlin - No

[Doom]

We had our annual keep or release discussion in the pub today.

The concensus of players to keep was:

Greenfield
Warburton

Petgrave
Nevalainen
Jones

Dowd
Whistle
Neumann
Graham

We also voted to replace the coach, but that isn't going to happen.

Regards

Doom

[paul johnston]

We had our annual keep or release discussion in the pub today.

The concensus of players to keep was:

Greenfield
Warburton

Petgrave
Nevalainen
Jones

Dowd
Whistle
Neumann
Graham

We also voted to replace the coach, but that isn't going to happen.

Regards

Doom

Thats a pretty big cull but agree its needed/warranted. I suspect most hockey fans (rather than those who are more about the entertainment/social interaction element) will agree with you although may disagree on a couple of players here or there.

[steeler pete]

We had our annual keep or release discussion in the pub today.

The concensus of players to keep was:

Greenfield
Warburton

Petgrave
Nevalainen
Jones

Dowd
Whistle
Neumann
Graham

We also voted to replace the coach, but that isn't going to happen.

Regards

Doom

I’d add Allen to that list, he’s underrated. He would need a confident scoring line mate to work with. Ciampini’s not that man.

I’d only keep Petgrave if we got a no nonsense take the body D man to accompany him. I know Petgrave and Nevalainen together have good +/- stats but we haven’t cleared our crease enough. They’re both capable in the corners and playing out of the zone.

[paul johnston]

We had our annual keep or release discussion in the pub today.

The concensus of players to keep was:

Greenfield
Warburton

Petgrave
Nevalainen
Jones

Dowd
Whistle
Neumann
Graham

We also voted to replace the coach, but that isn't going to happen.

Regards

Doom

I’d add Allen to that list, he’s underrated. He would need a confident scoring line mate to work with. Ciampini’s not that man.

I’d only keep Petgrave if we got a no nonsense take the body D man to accompany him. I know Petgrave and Nevalainen together have good +/- stats but we haven’t cleared our crease enough. They’re both capable in the corners and playing out of the zone.

If we keep these three d men then I agree we need three aggressive crease clearing d men. But we've said that for years. I dont think our coach agrees with that sentiment though.

[smbmetal]

We had our annual keep or release discussion in the pub today.

The concensus of players to keep was:

Greenfield
Warburton

Petgrave
Nevalainen
Jones

Dowd
Whistle
Neumann
Graham

We also voted to replace the coach, but that isn't going to happen.

Regards

Doom

I’d add Allen to that list, he’s underrated. He would need a confident scoring line mate to work with. Ciampini’s not that man.

I’d only keep Petgrave if we got a no nonsense take the body D man to accompany him. I know Petgrave and Nevalainen together have good +/- stats but we haven’t cleared our crease enough. They’re both capable in the corners and playing out of the zone.

If we keep these three d men then I agree we need three aggressive crease clearing d men. But we've said that for years. I dont think our coach agrees with that sentiment though.

Exactly and that's another reason why we've not won a trophy for 3 seasons.

All Fox and Tony need to do is watch the playoff final. That was 2 x teams going at it for 3 full periods, not playing for 40 minutes then having a rest like we do cause everyone is too old etc.

Anyone that went anywhere near the goalie(s) was put into the front row. Loads of niggling, hits, skill and fast paced hockey.

Whilst the game has changed, feisty in your face hockey wins trophies and that's why Belfast have completed a Grand Slam as that's the exact type of hockey they play.

[House_of_Steel]

We had our annual keep or release discussion in the pub today.

The concensus of players to keep was:

Greenfield
Warburton

Petgrave
Nevalainen
Jones

Dowd
Whistle
Neumann
Graham

We also voted to replace the coach, but that isn't going to happen.

Regards

Doom

I’d add Allen to that list, he’s underrated. He would need a confident scoring line mate to work with. Ciampini’s not that man.

I’d only keep Petgrave if we got a no nonsense take the body D man to accompany him. I know Petgrave and Nevalainen together have good +/- stats but we haven’t cleared our crease enough. They’re both capable in the corners and playing out of the zone.

If we keep these three d men then I agree we need three aggressive crease clearing d men. But we've said that for years. I dont think our coach agrees with that sentiment though.

Exactly and that's another reason why we've not won a trophy for 3 seasons.

All Fox and Tony need to do is watch the playoff final. That was 2 x teams going at it for 3 full periods, not playing for 40 minutes then having a rest like we do cause everyone is too old etc.

Anyone that went anywhere near the goalie(s) was put into the front row. Loads of niggling, hits, skill and fast paced hockey.

Whilst the game has changed, feisty in your face hockey wins trophies and that's why Belfast have completed a Grand Slam as that's the exact type of hockey they play.

Agreed but Tony isn’t listening he hasn’t changed anything since Thommo was here. I find it more than coincidental that Fox as us play non contact supposedly fast paced hockey exactly what Thomson was trying to achieve in his last few seasons, the style is most definitely influenced from above, it’s time for me personally to assess we’re I go from here I’ve only bought 4 webcasts this season and attended the arena once mostly keeping up with the games through social media. In the past few seasons I’ve tried to lower my expectations but it’s not working I just don’t like my team losing out to silverware year in year out it’s been over 5 seasons since we won the playoffs we’ve lifted the challenge cup once in that time whilst Belfast and Cardiff keep reaping the spoils of war, quite frankly it’s pissing me off hence the rethink of where I go from here. Like I’ve said in a previous post we won’t win another league title whilst Tony is owner.

[JoeySlats#13]

Sounds like another clear out.... Greenfield and the Brits to remain according to the Star.

I'm sure there's a couple of imports staying potentially but certainly sounds like big changes are coming (again!)

[Jayboy]

Sounds like another clear out.... Greenfield and the Brits to remain according to the Star.

I'm sure there's a couple of imports staying potentially but certainly sounds like big changes are coming (again!)

I imagine its the last chance saloon for Fox, he needs to bring in a team that can rival and beat the Belfast side, thats a tall order with the current crop of players, I imagine some imports will only be retained for 3/4th line duties next season and I imagine pay cuts too, which will naturally mean players leaving for better wages...

[BontSteeler]

Here's a question for our stats people on here.....

What's the average age of the other squads across the league?

I look at our team & feel like its 50+ (joking aside) at times.

I watched the 1st two periods yesterday & that was quality, high end Ice Hockey by 2 teams who are streets ahead of us at the moment - especially that Belfast side.