Can understand the logic, but given he's been outside our normal recruitment leagues, and only short stints in comparable leagues, I tend to look at junior to give an idea of what they are potentially like given being played in their best role (as is usually the case in junior).Doom wrote: ↑Wed Aug 23, 2023 8:02 amFrom past experience I only tend to consider the last 3 seasons, because what happened prior to that doesn't usually reflect the output of a player who is in his 30's..ginger wrote: ↑Wed Aug 23, 2023 7:38 amI wouldn't pay too much attention to forward positions listed/mentioned. Whilst most guys will have a preference, if the play 1 wing, they can 99% of the time play the other. Centre is the one which some players cannot play to a similar level as requires a few extra elements than playing as a winger.Doom wrote: ↑Wed Aug 23, 2023 6:12 amNow confirmed as Nicholls.
Probably my own fault because I'd built up a certain level of expectation in my own mind regarding this final signing, but I have to say I'm a little disappointed.
I was hoping for a high scoring 1st line forward to join Vallerand and Watling and give us a proper 1st line this season.
Nicholls shouts out St Pierre, McGrath or Owens to me, which means decent player, but not an impact player.
The article suggests he's a centre, although Elite Prospects has him down as right wing.
I'm not sure where that puts him in our line-up, because I thought Watling would be our top line centre with Allen 2nd line, Simpson 3rd line and Whistle 4th line.
Does this mean we'll now be playing players outside their favourite positions?
It will be interesting to hear what Fox has planned as his line combinations, because I'm now at a loss.
Regards
Doom
Not concerned on his scoring potential - compared to the guys you mentioned, Nicholls scored very well in junior. He also scored at close to PPG when in Norway briefly 21-22 season. He scored over 20 in every season in the ECHL. Last season was playing bottom six and asked to perform a role he's not really suited for, which added to quality of the league resulted in no goals.
His CV is harder to read than most as he's spent quite a lot of time outside of regular recruiting leagues for our league - but junior numbers suggest he absolutely knows how to put the puck in the net and rack up points when given the opportunity.
Players from Norway and DEL2 usually score at a similar level to our league and in both recent stints for Nicholls he's scored at 1 in 4, which is why I've pencilled him in at 15.
The Norwegian play-offs he had a much better production, so hopefully that's the player we get when he's on a top line in this country.
It's a bit of a worry we've signed so many players who couldn't hit a barn door from a yard last season, but hopefully in our league they'll find their form.
I do actually feel we're in a better place this season than we were at the start of last season and Belfast look a bit weaker, although I still make them favourites.
My current goal predictions has both us and Cardiff on 201 and Belfast on 222, although my mate who produces numerous stats has us within 5 of Belfast with Cardiff a little bit further back.
Nottingham aren't complete yet, but currently it looks like they will also be very close to us and Cardiff on my predictions.
Regards
Doom
Also I usually discount about 5 games in first season with a new team in a new league - there's often a small adjustment period to new leagues.
Don't get me wrong, I get the concerns, but I think there's a whole heap of positives being overlooked because his CV is not consistent seasons in ECHL/DEL2 (probably the 2 most comparable leagues)
