Petgrave & Nevalainen

[smbmetal]

Pleased to see both players return.

Petgrave is a bit of marmite player, but certainly puts up some pretty good numbers, especially from a D man. I do think Fox needs to keep them as a pairing as well.

Both have the advantage of having a full season in the EIHL so certainly know what to expect for this season.

D corp looks pretty good, but that wasn't the issue of last seasons squad.

[ginger]

Just to add, especially for those who feel Petgrave was a main culprit behind lack of success, go back, watch the tape on Schulze (who took very little criticism).

I reckon he probably had twice as many turnovers as Petgrave, with less ice time. And offered far less going forward.

I guarantee some of our so called top player favorites, especially defenders +/- stats would make you gasp!!
it's all a matter of perceived value to the team, and dont even get me started of some of the forwards we have had.. Ed Courteney for example needed a map to find our own zone!!

If we are judging the +/- of defender (rightly so) we should also look at some of the quite frankly louse forwards we have had recently who have struggle to score or get back and defend!! Carl Ackered, Adam Raska anyone!!

I loved the Eagle but he had even less defensive ability than Levi Nelson.

The stats Fox gave on his interview regarding Petgrave are ridiculous - average TOI close to 30 min a game, and yet on average he was at 40 min for each goal against. So essentially only on ice for 2 goals against in 4 games. That's absolutely ridiculous for a D who will play against other teams top lines.

Forwards are where we really struggled last year. We had one line which scored regularly (Ciampini/Neumann/Allen) and then some really underwhelming contributions.

[Jayboy]

More matches were lost by the inability of the top two line forwards to put the puck in the back of the net than the few howlers made by the D Corp particularly Petgrave.

I completely agree, oh what I would give for an Jeff Legue / Joey Talbot pairing right now, and like I said Ed Courteney knew where the net was, well the one in front of him anyhow

[ginger]

Some stats to back up my earlier point. In games against Belfast last year, Petgrave had 4 assists and was -1 overall. Schulze was -4 with 0 points. Don't have TOI but would be shocked if Petgrave didn't average at least 5-8 extra minutes per game.

[fortescuejohnp]

For me people are very quick to criticise Petgrave - when he gets it right he looks head and shoulders above most players in the league.

Inevitably he will sometimes get it wrong otherwise he would be playing AHL not in the Elite league.

Niklas is an absolute no brainer, the perfect foil for Petgrave and a responsible team guy.

[Foggy]

Yet again I’m happy with these signings

[JoeySlats#13]

Very happy that both are back - they had an excellent partnership last season and I think it would be risky to change all but one of the D core from last season.

Nevalainen very much underrated I would say, quietly went about his business and was a good contrast to the attack minded play of Petgrave. Sounds like he and Fox have discussed a couple of examples where he may have been a bit too keen to join the rush last season but there was definitely more positive than negatives with him IMO.

[greeny]

Happy enough with this pair returning