I'm not quite sure what to make of the signing of Marcus Eriksson by Belfast.
He had fantastic numbers in Alllsvenskan a couple of years ago, where he managed 20+39 from 50 games.
To put that into some context, Robert Dowd at his peak only managed 10+14 from 42 games in the same league.
The doubt about Eriksson is down to his age, because he's 40 in a few weeks.
It's strange that last season was the first time he got a call up to the Swedish top tier. His numbers in SHL weren't great and the few games he did play last year in the Allsvensken showed a big drop off.
He'll bring fantastic experience to Belfast and no doubt he'll be a very good professional, but will he still have the legs for a full EIHL season?
It's an intriguing signing.
Regards
Doom
He was a ppg in the Allsvenskan playoffs - he'll be good, but it's definitely a bit of a strange one. Can't work out why he didn't get a shot in the SHL sooner, or why wait til 40 to leave Sweden.
It'll be interesting to see how he handles back to backs, as he's not had to deal with that before.
So Cardiff are first to complete their roster. They look decent but I don't think they've addressed their lack of scoring enough. Goalies are fine on paper, assuming no drop off from Bowns (a possibility given age). D is good, Oligny and Estes are a top D pairing for pretty much anyone, but is a question of age with Mosey, Richardson and Fournier. Top 6 is ok, but scoring depth outside of it is not great on paper. I'm still saying 4th/5th on paper
So Cardiff are first to complete their roster. They look decent but I don't think they've addressed their lack of scoring enough. Goalies are fine on paper, assuming no drop off from Bowns (a possibility given age). D is good, Oligny and Estes are a top D pairing for pretty much anyone, but is a question of age with Mosey, Richardson and Fournier. Top 6 is ok, but scoring depth outside of it is not great on paper. I'm still saying 4th/5th on paper
So Cardiff are first to complete their roster. They look decent but I don't think they've addressed their lack of scoring enough. Goalies are fine on paper, assuming no drop off from Bowns (a possibility given age). D is good, Oligny and Estes are a top D pairing for pretty much anyone, but is a question of age with Mosey, Richardson and Fournier. Top 6 is ok, but scoring depth outside of it is not great on paper. I'm still saying 4th/5th on paper
I think Clan will edge Devils for fourth.
Certainly possible. Although Coventry could sneak it if Clan and Devils don't quite get going.
Grasso looks the business. I could see him hitting the 30 goal mark, especially if he's on a line with Eriksson.
You would have thought with Belfast throwing so much at their Brits they may have had to downgrade a few imports, but no sign of that.
Kontos is a decent player, but I think Cardiff overall look a bit short of scoring. I'm certainly more concerned with Nottingham and Belfast, but couldn't see Cardiff finishing lower than 4th.
Grasso looks the business. I could see him hitting the 30 goal mark, especially if he's on a line with Eriksson.
You would have thought with Belfast throwing so much at their Brits they may have had to downgrade a few imports, but no sign of that.
Kontos is a decent player, but I think Cardiff overall look a bit short of scoring. I'm certainly more concerned with Nottingham and Belfast, but couldn't see Cardiff finishing lower than 4th.
Regards
Doom
Depending on how well/far Belfast do in the CHL, it'll be very interesting how they'll fair In the league.
Panthers will go well this year, they'll push on this year.
For me, it all depends on who we announce aa our last signing as to how well we'll go, I'm highly impressed with our Netminding this year, hopefully Fox will rest Greenfield effectively, leaving hom alot fresher, we all know of McAdams capability.....
Grasso looks the business. I could see him hitting the 30 goal mark, especially if he's on a line with Eriksson.
You would have thought with Belfast throwing so much at their Brits they may have had to downgrade a few imports, but no sign of that.
Kontos is a decent player, but I think Cardiff overall look a bit short of scoring. I'm certainly more concerned with Nottingham and Belfast, but couldn't see Cardiff finishing lower than 4th.
Regards
Doom
Depending on how well/far Belfast do in the CHL, it'll be very interesting how they'll fair In the league.
Panthers will go well this year, they'll push on this year.
For me, it all depends on who we announce aa our last signing as to how well we'll go, I'm highly impressed with our Netminding this year, hopefully Fox will rest Greenfield effectively, leaving hom alot fresher, we all know of McAdams capability.....
This is our last import forward signing according to the rumours account on X (not missed on one for us yet)
Still think it's too close to call between us/Nottingham/Belfast. That's the top 3 for me. Cardiff/Glasgow probably 4th/5th but Coventry/Guildford could challenge that. I think Dundee/Manchester/Fife will probably make up the bottom 3.
I was out with my mate Saturday night and we spent a couple of hours comparing our roster with Belfast.
At the end we came to the conclusion there's hardly a cigarette paper between the two squads.
We both edged our netminding.
He had Belfast slightly ahead on d, whereas I was 50/50. Jones is ahead of Kelly, but I think our imports just edge it.
In the forwards we had the Belfast top line edging it. Second line we both had Belfast a little bit ahead. Third line we had the Steelers ahead. 4th line he edged Belfast and I had it 50/50.
You'd expect both teams to be there or thereabouts and I'd throw Nottingham into the equation as well.
Cardiff I'm a little less concerned about, because they look a bit lighter in their scoring depth.
Hopefully I'm wrong, but I do worry that the gap between top and bottom will get wider.
There's definitely 3 teams in the running for the league, but cup/playoffs there's probably 6 teams who could win it with a good run. Glasgow have signed a solid team and Corey is no mug. Devils whilst probably not got enough scoring depth for a league push, do have enough weapons to still be dangerous (and ditto the Corey comment for Thommo too). Coventry are a bit of a dark horse and have picked up a good couple of players, have a decent looking back up for Robson and Moore obviously has a bit about him as a coach.
The top 3 look so close on paper. Probably too close to call
