6 of the best, question the rest...

[JoeySlats#13]

My top 6, in no particular order:

1. Dowd - elite British forward - irreplaceable, future captain depending on Jono. A very reliable scorer and a solid 2-way player, often sets the tone with back checking.
2. Vallerand - best player in the league, a real gamechanger, our top scorer, probably our most consistent player. Irreplaceable again and when he was out injured our scoring dried up fast.
3. Jones - most improved player this season, been a real stand out and a must keep as a Brit d-man who are very hard to come by. He's been excellent in his own end and the offensive zone, seems to have grown in confidence massively. Need to keep our younger Brits as the top ones are hard to get and must be kept once we have them, Waller comes to my mind in Cardiff who I'm sure they will lock up as quickly as we should Jones.
4. Latal - another irreplaceable player in my opinion, his speed has been a turning factor and a spark for us in many games often in tight situations or where we seem to be lacking ideas. He's also a huge character, a fan favourite ands an absolute workhorse every shift, excellent on PK as well.
5. Whistle - a young up and coming Brit, he's proven himself when given the chance and our established Brits aren't going to be here forever. His work rate has been noticeable and has shown that he has the skill and finishing to be a threat offensively in this league.
6. Mosey - a true Fox player, someone who is a top 9 forward and top 4 d-man, in that way he is irreplaceable there aren't many players out there we could get that offer such flexibility and skill in each position. His speed and finishing has been there all season and has saved us many times with his quickness on the back end.

My near misses, in no particular order:

Eberle - a reliable goal scorer in this league, likes to mix it up from time to time to, he's been unfortunate with injuries and possibly could've been in my top 6 if he had a full season behind him. Seemed to struggle to get back into it after injury and illness but would love to see him back as he's part of the core.
Davey - a reliable Brit d-man, again very close to the 6, as there aren't many, if any, that could directly replace what he brings to the team
Todd - elite d-man, extremely composed on the puck and good on the PP, not sure if he will play again next season with his long term injury and age
ASD - physical d-man and has added some presence on the back end, skates well - again another one unlucky with injury and may have been in the 6 without the break
Jono - I'd imagine if he wants to back we will definitely want him back, the leader of the pack and a true warrior for us on the ice.
Connolly - we've missed his points and his tenacity in the line-up since his injury and he's been around the team a lot since, I get the impression he will be back and I'm all for that, can play center or left wing, has good chemistry with Dowd and Vallerand.
Schulze - brilliant skater and a PP quarter back, he's been quietly good all season and I think he hasn't got all the plaudits that he deserves, would love to see him back.

Young Brits:

Warburton - definitely want him back, would love to see him get the CC group games at least to develop
Graham - again would want back, seemed to have some good games when given more ice time, I guess he could look elsewhere for opportunities abroad, but I hope we can keep hold of him and continue his progression. Has recently been pipped for a spot by Whistle who probably provides more overall currently, but Graham probably has the greater potential in terms of points production in the long run
Shudra - seems to have played well for us whenever called upon, usually seems to be on D and has always delivered - has been playing forward for Leeds and putting up numbers. Interesting to see where this one goes I hope he comes back and we can get him more time in orange.

On this note, I hope the league roster / bench rules allow us to dress 4 lines of forwards next season (bench size up to 20) we could easily role a line of Brits next season and could have this season at times but can't under the current restrictions.

The next list - Wanted but not returning???:

Traversa - love his passion, energy and fight for the team every game, just not sure where he fits into the line-up if we want to develop Whistle, Graham etc.
Ellerby - would assume he returns home with his family, have enjoyed the games he's played much more physical, was a beast against Giants (Saturday) but overall not sure if we've seen as much as we all hoped having seen his CV
Hodgman - again, I believe he's already made it clear that he will be leaving after this season (potentially retiring), he's been solid for us and scored some big goals for us and has been a good creative playmaker, protects and keeps the puck extremely well. Maybe we hoped for more points output than we've seen but he's certainly been a positive player and has been great on and off the ice.
Sointu - don't think he will be back to be honest, he's scored some big goals for us again, he 's good around the net and finishes off tight chances very well - not sure he brings enough overall to return, I think Fox may think he can find better. Has been a great signing considering we picked him up during the season.
Polak - wouldn't mind him coming back if he produces like he has to be honest, I think he's been underrated since coming in and has been a good replacement at center for Connolly in terms of points. I guess in a way it's one or the other with Connolly or Polak??
Armstrong - I would like him back in the right roster to be honest I think we need other centers with more speed and points output consistently but he also started the season playing some RW, he's a big body and can score big goals, he always seems to step up when we need him, has a history of big goals. Excellent at face-offs which is something in recent seasons we haven't been the best on.
Feldner - will be playing in Innsbruck.
Boruta - will be playing in Innsbruck.
Brust - wouldn't mind him back in a tandem with Warburton as a number 3, think he has shown his class, but also has picked up some knocks.
Rok - been solid all season and has some good numbers, stole us lots of points, especially on the road when he was facing a lot of shots - would have him back, but wouldn't be surprised to see 2 new goalies either - a strange one.

[paul johnston]

Its a tough one, but looking to next season and beyond, gone for a mix of youth and the less young, Brits and imports.

VALLY. Arguably best player this year gets a shot for that alone.
ASD. Best all round d man that has a bit of snarl.
Latal. Can play in all situations and has that electric skating speed.
Dowd, been the main man for years gets another shout.
Sam Jones.
Whistle.
Need Brits, need young blood to get ready to replace our aging, battered stalwarts and they've shown that they have what it takes to take on that role.

[smbmetal]

While we can only pick 6 for this particular poll, I would bring 9 of the current team back.

ASD
Eberle
Dowd
Vally
Jones
Whistle
Latal
Mosey
Jono (if he doesn't retire).

Graham, Warbuton & Shudra as 2 way players.

Everyone else I would be looking to upgrade on. Even potentially using Shudra as a D Phillips replacement if I couldn't find a suitable replacement Brit.

[Richard Parker]

Vallerand
Dowd
Whistle
Jones
ASD
Latal

[Jayboy]

The top six players currently stand as:

Marc-Olivier Vallerand
28 votes
16%

Robert Dowd
24 votes
14%

Martin Latal
24 votes
14%

Evan Mosey
20 votes
12%


Sam Jones
16 votes
9%

Tanner Eberle
12 votes
7%

It's interesting to see that Sam Jones is the only out and out defender in that top 6
I dont think Mosey got a vote for being an defender!
I think his value lies in the fact that as an actual Defender he is a better forward than most of our forwards and as an forward he is better than any of our Defenders!!
So far those poll stats prove we need a brand new defence including a top draw netminder...

[Keith Sheppard]

Well that was harder than I expected.

The first three choices of Dowd, Valley and Latal were easy picks, then came the hard bit....the last three.
In the end I went with youth with one eye firmly set on the future, so I chose Jones, Whistle and Shudra. Curtis was almost my sixth choice. I know I’ve missed out a few established players who would have more ice time than my last three choices, but those are the players I chose.

[Jayboy]

OK who only voted 5 times lol

One of you can't count or you can't think of 6 players in this team you would want to keep

[mal smethurst]

I would have Connolly in my final 6 but his status is unsure so have had to leave him out I have included Rok as I think he would be a fabulous netty without the burden of Brust interchange who has not proven his fitness or his skills so many approved of, I have left off the young brits as I feel they need further exposure with the added mistake of not signing young Waller an absolute brillient prospect big mistake imo, the rest of the side are well past their best and I include Jonno in that, great bloke, great player no, good at dumping though!

[Steeler Stats]

Jay I've had a big problem how to select six players to come back next year when I want all the Brits to come back.So selecting Dowd ,Jones, Davey,Whistle, Mosey and of course Jonathan you cannot fit import in.So I've just selected 6 imports Vallerand, Latel,Eberle, Polak, Danielsen, and Todd.Sorry

[Jayboy]

That's fine Mick, you can vote how you see fit.. You can alter your vote any time you want

Jayboy