Team Changes, Keep or Release

[sunnybank]

If you're on social media, look out for rumour accounts. There's 1 on X that's usually pretty spot on but often only come out just before the signing announcement.

Do we know what the account is called on X?

Excited for my first off season!

[ginger]

If you're on social media, look out for rumour accounts. There's 1 on X that's usually pretty spot on but often only come out just before the signing announcement.

Do we know what the account is called on X?

Excited for my first off season!

UkHockeyRumours

Usually very accurate, but nothing yet so far for next year.

[mark]

Treat the rumours for what they are, a bit of fun and maybe a bit of trolling involved. Don't get wound up about what someone has guessed at, from experience you will not be able to make a judgement until all the signings have been announced and you can start to see how the pieces fit together, sometimes it's that final piece of the jigsaw that makes it all make sense. And for those wondering, yes, Admin have been aware of definite signings previously but if we know for certain we don't spoil the surprise by posting it on here.

[ginger]

Hunter Garlent - Stats, Contract, Salar ... gGFLJpbpgw

Not a rumour, but as an example of the type of forward teams in EIHL would generally look to sign for their top 6 forward roles.

[DimTim]

I think the area Fox needs to ‘sort’ is the Brit contingent. Dowd is ageing, Shudra has been injury prone this season & sometimes omitted from the line up. Kelly has been named as 7th defenceman & either he or Tansey asked to play as a forward. Neilson spat his dummy out!

The Steeldogs have provided replacements and both IBN & Liam Steele have acquitted themselves well & possibly will be full time next season. However do we then carry 2 Brit defencemen in the starting 20 with only 4 imports? Are imports reducing from 15 to 14 next season requiring additional Brit players to make up a full bench?

Will there be any movement in the ‘Brit market’ this off season as I feel we have been weaker than our rivals in this area.

[ginger]

Tony Smith confirmed 15 imports for game day roster next year.

Brits is something we need to look at. Assuming the B. Whistle rumour is true, I'd expect our Brits to probably be Dowd, Whistle, IBN, Liam Steele, and then a Brit goalie (unsure who this will be).

Harsh on Kelly, as think he's got the potential to be excellent - but Steele has a greater ceiling potential, could be next Ben O'Connor with his offensive upside.

Wouldn't be shocked to see Kelly end up in Guildford/Coventry/Manchester - probably the best 3 for his development assuming the current coaches are all still in place. He'll get regular minutes in teams that are pushing the top 4 the closest (Glasgow is probably a no go considering he's been there and didn't work)

[MLL79]

I think it’s a difficult one re Kelly, I know I’m guilty of being critical on here at times.

I think a season with a ton of minutes with the Dogs would absolutely do him the world of good. It’s been good to see him up front in a way, I think he’s shown he has great hands, excellent mobility especially when considering his size - which is another great plus - good going forward and not afraid to shoot. I think it’s the positional play that’s been the Achilles heel for him, which is always going to be cruelly exposed on D. I think logging a lot of minutes and working on that and he could come back as a real asset. For me, with what limited opportunity I’ve had, this experience/positional sense shows with Steele, who feels safer to me on D duties.

Seems opinion is divided on Diffley, for me I think he’s been good, at times outstanding. I’m not sure what happened in the Final, I was surprised there tbh. But for the long haul he would be one of the priorities to keep.

I liked Huttula this year, particularly latter half. But he does need to play with someone who can read his intentions and hang back and cover, D partner and a forward.

So for me the core of the D would be Cormier, Diffley and Huttula, Steele if possible and could be “7th D” if it’s not working. Kelly keep 2yrs if possible but 2-way and year 1 logs 90% of his time playing full tilt NIHL with a promise of EIHL next year. Tansey I don’t think we’ll have a choice over.

[BontSteeler]

I think it’s a difficult one re Kelly, I know I’m guilty of being critical on here at times.

I think a season with a ton of minutes with the Dogs would absolutely do him the world of good. It’s been good to see him up front in a way, I think he’s shown he has great hands, excellent mobility especially when considering his size - which is another great plus - good going forward and not afraid to shoot. I think it’s the positional play that’s been the Achilles heel for him, which is always going to be cruelly exposed on D. I think logging a lot of minutes and working on that and he could come back as a real asset. For me, with what limited opportunity I’ve had, this experience/positional sense shows with Steele, who feels safer to me on D duties.

Seems opinion is divided on Diffley, for me I think he’s been good, at times outstanding. I’m not sure what happened in the Final, I was surprised there tbh. But for the long haul he would be one of the priorities to keep.

I liked Huttula this year, particularly latter half. But he does need to play with someone who can read his intentions and hang back and cover, D partner and a forward.

So for me the core of the D would be Cormier, Diffley and Huttula, Steele if possible and could be “7th D” if it’s not working. Kelly keep 2yrs if possible but 2-way and year 1 logs 90% of his time playing full tilt NIHL with a promise of EIHL next year. Tansey I don’t think we’ll have a choice over.

I know Diffley was extremely poorly this past weekend - the fact he iced is testament to him not only as a player but a person as well.

[ginger]

First rumour posts from the reliable accounts out - Brandon Whistle and Liam Steele full time.

Others are Joe Hazeldine leaving Glasgow, Racine re-signed in Guildford, Oligny re-signed in Cardiff and........ Logan Neilson to Belfast!

[MLL79]

I think it’s a difficult one re Kelly, I know I’m guilty of being critical on here at times.

I think a season with a ton of minutes with the Dogs would absolutely do him the world of good. It’s been good to see him up front in a way, I think he’s shown he has great hands, excellent mobility especially when considering his size - which is another great plus - good going forward and not afraid to shoot. I think it’s the positional play that’s been the Achilles heel for him, which is always going to be cruelly exposed on D. I think logging a lot of minutes and working on that and he could come back as a real asset. For me, with what limited opportunity I’ve had, this experience/positional sense shows with Steele, who feels safer to me on D duties.

Seems opinion is divided on Diffley, for me I think he’s been good, at times outstanding. I’m not sure what happened in the Final, I was surprised there tbh. But for the long haul he would be one of the priorities to keep.

I liked Huttula this year, particularly latter half. But he does need to play with someone who can read his intentions and hang back and cover, D partner and a forward.

So for me the core of the D would be Cormier, Diffley and Huttula, Steele if possible and could be “7th D” if it’s not working. Kelly keep 2yrs if possible but 2-way and year 1 logs 90% of his time playing full tilt NIHL with a promise of EIHL next year. Tansey I don’t think we’ll have a choice over.

I know Diffley was extremely poorly this past weekend - the fact he iced is testament to him not only as a player but a person as well.

That explains it - he had a great game in the semi and was one of the standouts for me - it stood out in the final because it was unusual.

I have to say, not just because I’m balding and have to shave my head, but I’ve been an admirer of him since day one. I think he’s been so good for us in his time to date - a must keep for me in the D corps.