Steelers signings and departures

[ginger]

A point on profile of new signings - they need to be taken in context of those that have stayed. Cormier, Balmas, Juusola, Tait, IBN, Steele all under 30 (Tait just turned 30). Aarnio and Teissala, Brine, Whistle all added and under 30 (Aarnio and Teissala under 27). Diffley/Erkamps/Greenfield are 31. Dowd we know has no issues even at 37. Jasper also proven as good quality in the league. So the only 3 older signings (so far, granted) are Roe at 34, Archambault at 33 and Collins at 37.

Hard to know based on stats, but we seem to have made solid signings compared to the exceptional signings Belfast have made.

However the game isn't played on eliteprospects so we'll see what happens come September!

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Belfast are replacing some big players though who have moved on (eg Bast). They also lack the same British depth (on paper at least), and have what looks like most of their top 6 signed whilst we're 2 centres short. As I said, a lot comes down to those 2 centres but there's a number of good ECHL centres with similar ppg stats to Bates (probably the best on paper signing so far this year) not yet signed anywhere.

[Doom]

In my calcs I've got Kaleb Pearson down to score more than Bates....both look more potent than any of our new guys.

I'm also a bit nervous as to where Perlini ends up. If it's Belfast, then a high scoring team (on paper at least) becomes even more potent.

Regards

Doom

[ginger]

What's the thoughts on the centres? Do y'all think they're signed yet or contracts offered or we're waiting for the end of the market and see what's left after bigger leagues have completed their rosters?

All speculation I know, but what else do we have to do

I suspect offers are either out or are now finalised. Might have been opt out dates for better offers but suspect those are either now up or very close to being.

Think NA free agency started 01/07 and given most European league training camps start in next couple of weeks I think those deciding between multiple offers will be doing so over the next week or so.

There's always a chance you get a late signing (Balmas originally I think was one) but never certain and given the need to mount a serious league challenge this year, I can't see Fox gambling on one coming through.

[ginger]

In my calcs I've got Kaleb Pearson down to score more than Bates....both look more potent than any of our new guys.

I'm also a bit nervous as to where Perlini ends up. If it's Belfast, then a high scoring team (on paper at least) becomes even more potent.

Regards

Doom

Perlini is allegedly Guildford bound (would make sense given he's probably close to retirement now and the connection with his father)

Belfast do look strong, but Archambault at a PPG average over multiple seasons in Slovakia (incl. start of last year) is not to be sniffed at - if it's only his age that is a concern, then we've already seen numerous examples of players putting up numbers well in to their 30s. It's a consideration sure, but there's not a noticeable drop off in his stats so suggests it's less likely to be an issue.

Teissala is harder to read granted - coming from a much higher level where scoring is difficult always will be. That said, he has better Liiga stats than Juusola, who is a ppg player in this league.

Juusola and Balmas are the other 2 I have in the top 6 and we know what they can bring.

Dowd is still at roughly a PPG, Jasper and Tait both capable of 0.7. I'd also like to think that may potentially increase if they play with Collins who was a top 3 (iirc) face off winning centre in ICEHL last year.

Until the 2 centres are signed, I don't think we can properly compare as they look like the make or break pieces

[Doom]

Archambault looks a good play maker, but I don't see him scoring many goals (maybe mid teens). If he's on a line with Balmas, hopefully he can help to keep his incredible goal scoring run going.

I've always really liked Juusola because of the way he plays the game, but he did struggle for goals last season.

Whilst I don't think we're massively short on goals, I don't see enough in the squad at the moment. I'm really hoping one of the remaining imports does know where the net is, then I might feel a little better with this squad.

As for Perlini, the original rumours were Guildford, but now their supporters are suggesting he's going elsewhere in the EIHL.

It won't be Cardiff or Sheffield, so realistically that only leaves Belfast or Nottingham.

I thought Notts Brits were complete, but Belfast do look short of a Brit D. I'm wondering now if Shudra or Llong are going to play defence and Perlini is going to come in as a forward. If it is Belfast, they'll have ridiculous scoring depth and it would make a nonsense of their claims about other teams budgets.

Regards

Doom

[ginger]

I admit I hadn't heard the recent Perlini developments. Might be right on Long back on D and Perlini in.

Belfast have been kidding themselves for years about budgets - not that I think they're massively ahead, but there's no doubt it's at least equal to Sheffield/Nottingham.

[Doom]

I was just looking at potential Belfast forward lines:

Goodwin/Conway/Piccinich
Kawaguchi/Gaudet/Guay
Cockerill/Bates/Pearson
Shudra/Guay/Long

Those top two lines are effectively their title winning top lines and the lines they had when they beat us 12 - 2 on aggregate in the double header.

That 3rd line looks ridiculous. In Bates and Pearson they have two top end ECHL guys and Cockerill doesn't look a slouch. That line could be good for 70 goals, which is way more than I'd expect from our 3rd line.

The 4th line looks a little weaker than our 4th line, although when Whistle plays in goal they could have an extra import on there.

Of course if Perlini was to sign, they'd also have a very strong looking 4th line as well.

We really need to finish our roster strongly if we hope to compete with Belfast.

Regards

Doom

[Keith Sheppard]

I was just looking at potential Belfast forward lines:

Goodwin/Conway/Piccinich
Kawaguchi/Gaudet/Guay
Cockerill/Bates/Pearson
Shudra/Guay/Long

Those top two lines are effectively their title winning top lines and the lines they had when they beat us 12 - 2 on aggregate in the double header.

That 3rd line looks ridiculous. In Bates and Pearson they have two top end ECHL guys and Cockerill doesn't look a slouch. That line could be good for 70 goals, which is way more than I'd expect from our 3rd line.

Regards

Doom

To emphasise how strong those top two lines are, they lost Mismash to Coventry and didn’t seem to miss him. I’d be happy if we’d have signed him this year. They certainly look impressive, but not unbeatable. Remember Coventry kicking them out of the cup, and Fife doing the same in the playoffs. In the league though they were cynical in their pursuit of the title, they have to be favourites again this year … at the moment.

[Bryan]

I’m puzzled. Since our grand slam and perhaps even before that, Giants are recruiting better than us. This is especially true for the top two lines. Are we not spotting the possibilities, do we misguidedly not assess them so highly? Or are we offering positions to some of these players and they are choosing Belfast ahead of us. If so what makes them more attractive ? Or do we simply not have the budget?

[Keith Sheppard]

I’m puzzled. Since our grand slam and perhaps even before that, Giants are recruiting better than us. This is especially true for the top two lines. Are we not spotting the possibilities, do we misguidedly not assess them so highly? Or are we offering positions to some of these players and they are choosing Belfast ahead of us. If so what makes them more attractive ? Or do we simply not have the budget?

It’s probably something to do with a players agents asking them if they want to play for coach Keefe? They sign on thinking they’re heading to New Jersey, then realise they’re going to Belfast.

Seriously though… having his brother with all of his connections, it must give Belfast an advantage with recruitment.