Season analysis: what now...

[paul johnston]

I would definitely retain (in no order):

Jones (done)
Dowd
Vallerand
Davey
Eberle
Mosey
Latal
Whistle
Schulze
Todd (if he doesn't retire)
Connolly
Jono
Rok
Warburton
Shudra
Graham

Here's my retainees:

Tanner Eberle – Yes
Evan Mosey - Yes
Martin Latal - Yes
Brandon Whistle - Yes
Cole Shudra - Yes
Robert Dowd - Yes
Marc-Olivier Vallerand – Yes
Sam Jones – Yes
Curtis Warburton - Yes
Alex Graham - Yes
Jonathan Phillips – Yes (if he still wants to play)
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Justin Hodgman - No
Vojtech Polak - No
Tommaso Traversa - No
Brendan Connolly - No
Matias Sointu - No
John Armstrong - No
Daine Todd - No
Davey Phillips - No
Kevin Schulze - No
Adrian Saxrud Danielsen - No
Keaton Ellerby - No
Barry Brust - No
Rok Stojanovic - No

If we're not able to find another Connolly type player and he still wants to play, then I would re-sign him in a heartbeat, however like @Nathan says he age is a little against him.

Apart from Ellerby in the D who overall has been a disappointment I wouldn't be too unhappy with Todd, ASD and Shulze or at least a couple of them being retained.
Connolly age and big injury, and his form in the little time he played for us pre-injury would be a big No from me. I also think may be time to move on from Jonno unless squad and match night size increases and we could then squeeze him in.
Rok as back up not a bad option either.
The rest of your Yes retain seem good to me.

[smbmetal]

I've gone for a complete re-build Paul. Perhaps that could be the wrong choice and maybe a few tweaks is all that's needed so the likes of ASD, Todd and others you have listed could come back.

Rok has certainly played well especially with having to come in at short notice, I just think we can upgrade on him slightly, who knows, maybe we can get him a Steelers lid as well if he comes back (sorry just thought Rok's white helmet looked poor, minor details I know).

ASD seemed to go off the boil for me towards the last quarter of the season and supposedly has other offers on the table, but wouldn't be unhappy if either returned, I just think they could be upgraded on

Todd was excellent, but age isn't on his side and again, I think we could get someone a little younger as with my coach's hat on, I'm trying to recruit a younger more hungrier side, especially with my 3 year deal that I have

Whilst I'm looking for a younger side, Jonno will always get a place for me even if he's playing at 76. His penalty killing alone is worth a place still for me and his captaincy has been outstanding for years.

[Jayboy]

I would love to be in the head of Fox and see his thoughts and if they even in a small way align with some of ours.
To me a younger (fitter) version of our current squad would not be far off with a few tweaks to the size and aggression of top 2 line players...

[Jayboy]

I've gone for a complete re-build Paul. Perhaps that could be the wrong choice and maybe a few tweaks is all that's needed so the likes of ASD, Todd and others you have listed could come back.

Rok has certainly played well especially with having to come in at short notice, I just think we can upgrade on him slightly, who knows, maybe we can get him a Steelers lid as well if he comes back (sorry just thought Rok's white helmet looked poor, minor details I know).

ASD seemed to go off the boil for me towards the last quarter of the season and supposedly has other offers on the table, but wouldn't be unhappy if either returned, I just think they could be upgraded on

Todd was excellent, but age isn't on his side and again, I think we could get someone a little younger as with my coach's hat on, I'm trying to recruit a younger more hungrier side, especially with my 3 year deal that I have

Whilst I'm looking for a younger side, Jonno will always get a place for me even if he's playing at 76. His penalty killing alone is worth a place still for me and his captaincy has been outstanding for years.

And he is still fitter than most of the current squad..

[lovedenisvial]

Can't believe that people don't think Todd should return?????? he was clearly one of the best players in the league, which Fox stated on number occations and we were very lucky to get him here in the first place.
If he's comes back fit I would imagine he would be snapped up by many other teams across europe, a player of his calibre won't need to look far to a job.

[Nathan]

Can't believe that people don't think Todd should return?????? he was clearly one of the best players in the league, which Fox stated on number occations and we were very lucky to get him here in the first place.
If he's comes back fit I would imagine he would be snapped up by many other teams across europe, a player of his calibre won't need to look far to a job.

I'd have him back in a heartbeat, providing he's fit and healthy.

[Doom]

Whilst in Nottingham we rated all the players 1 to 5 how badly we'd like them back.

We agreed a total of 16 or more was required to make the cut.

Needless to say there were a few who totalled 4 (4 × 1 ).

Those who made the cut were:

Jones
Todd
ASD
Eberle
Graham
Latal
Whistle
Dowd
Vallerand
Mosey

So 10 to be retained in total.

Regards

Doom

[19Steelers]

Could live with that but would add Davey Phillips.

[paul johnston]

Whilst in Nottingham we rated all the players 1 to 5 how badly we'd like them back.

We agreed a total of 16 or more was required to make the cut.

Needless to say there were a few who totalled 4 (4 × 1 ).

Those who made the cut were:

Jones
Todd
ASD
Eberle
Graham
Latal
Whistle
Dowd
Vallerand
Mosey

So 10 to be retained in total.

Regards

Doom

Probably wouldn't change this at all.

[Doom]

My mate brought some stats out last week comparing our roster with Belfast.

In defence there wasn't much difference, although as expected Belfast were a long way ahead on +/-.

Difficult to say if this is because they were better defensively or their forwards put the opposition under so much pressure the defence didn't have as much to do.

In terms of points our wingers matched theirs, I certainly don't think that is where we had an issue.

Centers.....oh dear! Belfast were miles ahead of us on all accounts. I think it was obvious for all to see that this is where our biggest issues were last season.

Swap Conway with Armstrong and we win the league. He scores goals, gets assists and wins faceoffs.....and he's British.

If I was Fox I'd be on the phone to him right now with a big offer. It might not be enough to tempt him, but if nothing else it would force Belfast to offer more.

According to Finner we have the biggest budget. If true, let's not waste it on ancient has beens from Europe, but tempt the best from our league who are known quantities.

That's what Blaiser did....McCosh, Weaver etc.....that didn't work out badly.

Regards

Doom