Maybe it was the case of wrong place at the wrong time last season for Jasper, but based on his declining numbers, I'd be worried if he was as high as 2nd line, although suspect he'll be top two lines.
It would have the feel of the Leavens signing. OK for the lower lines, but not a player who will make a big difference.
Logic behind this would be Simpson/Golod played very well together. Gentile looks like a guy who could score with the right players around him, so put him on this line.
Juusola and Tait would provide a line with a lot of speed.
Seitz and Balmas are both top line players, so put them together. I don't think we have a proper 1st line centre with that group of players, so may as well throw Jasper up there.
I'm not convinced by Jasper, but he needs to fit in somewhere.
I think this would give us a fairly weak top line, a strong 2nd and 3rd lines and a middle of the road 4th.
Its a lot of assumption, but I think I'd be OK with that line-up, although I'd be happier if we had a top 1st line centre in place of Jasper.
All guesswork at this stage.
Regards
Doom
Simpson way too high up the lines . Third, or possibly alternating with Tremblay between the 3 and 4th lines. His puck handling and passing/distribution just isn't there to be higher to feed his wingers.
I would generally agree about Simpson, I've always thought of him as a 3rd/4th line player who is also good on the PK.
However, when it was put together last season, the line of Golod/Simpson/Leavens was probably our most productive during January, until Golod went home.
Golod was probably the driving force behind their brief success, but if they were both to return, I would be interested to see how they develop on the same line.
I'd heard a rumour over the playoff weekend that Simpson had fallen out of favour with Fox, hence the reason he didn't play during the playoffs?
Not sure sure how true I personally think that is, but that was the rumour.
It will certainly get squashed if he re-signs lol.
I hope he does stay and was on my initial keep list.
Doubt it, as we were properly banged up so don't think Fox benches a healthy player in that circumstance, especially a strong face off winner. I think the issue on Simpson is more likely value/playing time+line - he's probably not creative enough to be top 6, but he's likely to want to try and get in a top 6 somewhere
I looked at all the options and every time I just kept coming back to 'It’s not Sheffield' It’s an awesome place to play, playing in front of 8,000 or 9,000 fans every night and I just love it there inside the arena. Then you see the core guys coming back, especially Greener and you think, it’s great to have this other interest but I want to be back in Sheffield with that core and the exciting new talent that Foxy is bringing in.
Balmas confirmed that he and Matt Greenfield had spoken about their returns
I think we both went through the same feelings, we had options but in the end Sheffield is where we want to be. I know there are big times ahead, we all want to play in the big games in front of the big crowds for the chance to win trophies, I can’t wait to get back and see everyone again.
Fox's interview with Pete Spencer is interesting - Balmas may play Centre a bit more next year, so I think depends on who remaining signings are. He said still a couple of slots to fill, so sounds like we've probably got a couple of others not yet strongly rumoured signed up (assume the interview was recorded early last week). I do wonder if he'll be paired with Gentile considering they're best mates.
Fox also said Balmas will be part of the leadership group, so expect him to wear an A as well.
