Steelers SIGNINGS/Departures. Confirmed only , no rumours please

[ginger]

Was 99.9% this was a done deal, but great to have it confirmed! Best goalie in the league, not seen anything yet to say that's not the case again next year. Diffley or Watling next I reckon

[Doom]

Undoubtedly the most important part of the team jigsaw for next season.

Cardiff have just completed their roster and look stacked full of talent, as do Belfast. It will be tough to match their quality of out skaters, but I believe in Greenfield we have the best netminder.

It would be great to bring Watling and Diffley back, but I'm really hoping we can also hang on to Balmas.

Regards

Doom

[jas]

Really sorry to see Sam go, he was a great asset to the club. Even so, I can't fault him for wanting to spread his wings.

As for all the returnees, well, I think it's going to be a lot tougher than last season. Whilst there are a lot of positives, we really need to strengthen, rather than remain static which is something I have alluded to previously. If we don't, I can imagine criticism next season along the lines of the team being a shadow of its former self, along with coaching criticisms. As other teams improve, it will be harder to shine, unless we also improve.

[ginger]

Undoubtedly the most important part of the team jigsaw for next season.

Cardiff have just completed their roster and look stacked full of talent, as do Belfast. It will be tough to match their quality of out skaters, but I believe in Greenfield we have the best netminder.

It would be great to bring Watling and Diffley back, but I'm really hoping we can also hang on to Balmas.

Regards

Doom

Cardiff's top 6 and top 4 D look great. If they click they'll be in the hunt for sure. Bottom 6 and 3rd D pair are where they look weakest. Belfast look stacked so far.

Expect a 3 horse race with Nottingham and Guildford the 2 that could potentially upset that.

[Jayboy]

Great news: Brien Difley returns.. Official

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[ginger]

Great news! Was so good last year.

So far we've retained our starting netminder, our top 4 D and 3 (to date) of our top 6 forwards from a grand slam winning team. That's a heck of a lot (and don't think we're done yet)

[BontSteeler]

Great news! Was so good last year.

So far we've retained our starting netminder, our top 4 D and 3 (to date) of our top 6 forwards from a grand slam winning team. That's a heck of a lot (and don't think we're done yet)

Personally think we'll keep Watling & potentially Balmas but can see Allen & Sir Marco of Vallerand moving on.

Talking of Marco Vallerand, does anybody know how his recovery is coming along since that nasty injury in the Semi Final?

Great to see Diffley back, he was outstanding in the Challenge Cup Final & Playoff Final.

Welcome back.

[ginger]

Great news! Was so good last year.

So far we've retained our starting netminder, our top 4 D and 3 (to date) of our top 6 forwards from a grand slam winning team. That's a heck of a lot (and don't think we're done yet)

Personally think we'll keep Watling & potentially Balmas but can see Allen & Sir Marco of Vallerand moving on.

Talking of Marco Vallerand, does anybody know how his recovery is coming along since that nasty injury in the Semi Final?

Great to see Diffley back, he was outstanding in the Challenge Cup Final & Playoff Final.

Welcome back.

Whis, Balmas and Watling I think will be the final returnees.

[greeny]

A very strong core of returnees thus far, all positive,,,,,

[Doom]

Good to see the return of Diffley.

With Tansey/Cormier and Saucerman/Diffley back, we should have two of the top defensive pairings in the league.

With Fox confirming we're going with an all import defence, the way I see it we'll probably have the best netminder (Nottingham still to show their hand) and defence in the league.

Where I think we're light is goal scoring. We'll be going with 4 British forwards and of those only Dowd is likely to be a higher end scorer.

Whilst I'm happy with the imports signed to date, I wouldn't describe any as goal scorers. If we bring back the likes of Balmas and Watling, they've obviously got goals in them, but I'd still say Belfast will be 20 to 30 goals ahead of us.

It should be a good match up, with Belfast's irresistible force versus our immovable object.

I see Cardiff somewhere in the middle, probably not as many goals in them as Belfast, but they look quite solid at the back.

I'm not quite sure about Nottingham yet, up until their last couple of signings I was very impressed, but their last two look like budget signings which could go either way.

I don't really see anybody else challenging for the title. For me it will be a three horse race, with possibly Nottingham making it four if they sign a couple more top end forwards and a solid netminder.

Regards

Doom