line up so far - how's it looking?

[ginger]

Seitz would be one new addition I wouldn't worry about. Absolute no brainer to sign him - go check out Coventry's highlights from last year.

Southorn has been signed as a role player, same with Nielsen. Tait was about 0.8 ppg last year on probably the worst Guildford team for a while.

Gentile was top points scorer in the entirety of USports last year, every player close to him has signed in ICEHL. It's a good indication he's decent.

We've made a really solid start, but likely at least 2 top 6 forwards not announced

[Doom]

At the moment, I'd say:

Netminding equal to last season, but could be slightly better if we get a better back up to Greenfield.

Defence likely to be a downgrade. Southorn looks OK, but I don't think he'll be an upgrade on Sauce, more a sideways move. Kelly is likely to be a downgrade on Guimond. Diffley replacement, if there is one, remains unknown.

Forwards too early to tell, but with an extra import up there I'm expecting more depth. Until the top line is announced it's difficult to say, but I'm hoping Fox isn't looking at Jasper as top line.

I'm neither positive or negative regarding what I've seen to date, but we certainly need some quality forwards announcing to come close to the top lines of Belfast and Nottingham.

Regards

Doom

[Jayboy]

At the moment, I'd say:

Netminding equal to last season, but could be slightly better if we get a better back up to Greenfield.

Defence likely to be a downgrade. Southorn looks OK, but I don't think he'll be an upgrade on Sauce, more a sideways move. Kelly is likely to be a downgrade on Guimond. Diffley replacement, if there is one, remains unknown.

Forwards too early to tell, but with an extra import up there I'm expecting more depth. Until the top line is announced it's difficult to say, but I'm hoping Fox isn't looking at Jasper as top line.

I'm neither positive or negative regarding what I've seen to date, but we certainly need some quality forwards announcing to come close to the top lines of Belfast and Nottingham.

Regards

Doom

we screwed if thats the case, our defence in front of Greenfield was the problem for far to many games last season...

[Doom]

we screwed if thats the case, our defence in front of Greenfield was the problem for far to many games last season...

I found last season slightly odd, because looking at the roster I thought we might struggle for goals, but would be solid at the back end. Our roster looked weighted towards the back end with 6/7 import d.

As it turned out, we were the league's top scorers, but finished 3rd on goals conceded.

I do wonder if a few of our key defencemen were playing through injuries which were impacting their performance. I guess we'll probably never know, but it would explain the drop off in performance of some players at various times.

Regards

Doom

[ginger]

So many injuries last year compared to the GS season.

I think only Cormier and Huttula didn't have any injury scratches during the year for the D. Tansey, Sauce and Diffley were all injured at some point and likely played through stuff.

Also losing forwards who were defensively responsible would have hurt (alongside missing our best face off guy for the last part of the year).

[paul johnston]

So many injuries last year compared to the GS season.

I think only Cormier and Huttula didn't have any injury scratches during the year for the D. Tansey, Sauce and Diffley were all injured at some point and likely played through stuff.

Also losing forwards who were defensively responsible would have hurt (alongside missing our best face off guy for the last part of the year).

I dont think the forwards were as sharp in their defensive duties as they were the season before.

[ginger]

So many injuries last year compared to the GS season.

I think only Cormier and Huttula didn't have any injury scratches during the year for the D. Tansey, Sauce and Diffley were all injured at some point and likely played through stuff.

Also losing forwards who were defensively responsible would have hurt (alongside missing our best face off guy for the last part of the year).

I dont think the forwards were as sharp in their defensive duties as they were the season before.

Agreed. Injury is likely to have played some part, some on the players themselves.

I feel we got a bit found out on special teams as well - teams had tightened up their box so we were missing the cross ice pass between the 2 shooters to open teams up. Also everyone keyed in on Balmas walking in from the left circle more. Need a few different looks for the new season.

PK wasn't as tight and I think that was down to forwards getting pulled too far out of position too often. GS season forwards were only making small adjustments on their positioning when the puck was moved, and weren't over committing to chasing the puck. I think a few tried to be more aggressive at the wrong times and we ended up with too many wide open shots from the top of the circles

[Jayboy]

Adding Balmas into the mix sure is a step forward, I was sweating his signing for a while , hoping he wasn't off to Europe.

[ginger]

Based on signings around the league so far and including the strong rumours, we are certainly looking in the top bracket. I've split teams in to brackets, with actual order undetermined:

Sheffield
Nottingham
Belfast

Cardiff
Coventry
Glasgow
Guildford

Dundee
Manchester
Fife

I think Cardiff are probably the most likely of the middle group to potentially worry the top 3, and Guildford probably the weakest so far.

Top 3 looks too close to call. Belfast still have too many unknowns. Not much between us and Nottingham. All 3 look like they'll be very good on paper.

Bottom 3 likely to struggle with Dundee probably the strongest.

[Doom]

I'd probably put Cardiff in the top group, but I agree with the rest.

I get where you're coming from with Cardiff, but I suspect Brandt will be a spare and the remaining signings will be top end.

It does look like it will be very tight at the top end with injuries no doubt playing a part.

Regards

Doom