steeltalk.co.uk

Steelers confirm the signing of D Man Brien Diffley

Website: https://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/blu ... ley-signs/

Aaron Fox: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0g0l224

Brien Diffley: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0g0kz65

Rosta: https://www.sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/pla ... t-style-2/

Jayboy wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 13, 2023 7:29 am

Steelers confirm the signing of D Man Brien Diffley

sheffieldsteelers.co.uk/blue-line-addition-as-diffley-signs/

Another good 2 way, 200 feet player. The league is going to be rammed with these types of players this year. I also see he apparently plays with "jam". Is that strawberry or blackcurrant?
In all seriousness welcome Brien.
I think our prospects for next year really depend upon the five or so remaining import forwards. Get those right, we have a chance. If not, a 2-4th place at most beckons.

Apparently he is really impressed with our Arena and training rink.
He might be a bit disappointed when he finds out they are the same place


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If I hear Fox use the phrase 'Elite Level Skater' again I think I'll throw my phone out of the window.

As for Diffley, he looks OK, but no better than a number 4 or 5 if we have serious aspirations of winning the title.

For me the quality of this signing all depends on what is still to come. If we have Nevalainen, Petgrave and Saucerman signed up, then I'd say this is a good signing which fits in well with the rest of our defence. If it's the likes of Schulze and a couple of similar signings I think we'll struggle.

When I look at defencemen I tend to check how their +/- stats relate to the rest of their team.

In the case of Diffley:

22/23 - 15th out of 27, which isn't great (Denmark)
21/22 - 5th out of 23, which is good (France)
20/21 - 4th out of 20, which is good (France)
19/20 - 2nd out of 38, which is very good (ECHL)

On the basis of this I'd say he looks fairly solid and at 28 is a good age.

Regards

Doom

I suspect Petgrave and Saucerman are signed and the final D is one of the roles still to be filled. Given that I'm happy with this signing. D man stats are always a bit difficult to read as there's usually a lot of context that needs adding to really drill down in to whether they are where they need to be.

Whilst his +/- doesn't look as good last year, there's a number of factors that can contribute to that. Also worth noting that+/- is being used less and less by hockey analysts because of the number of factors that can affect the stat.

Denmark is a good league and he was wanted back there, and sounds like there may have been interest from elsewhere in the league, so certainly must have something about him.

I think it really is the forwards to be announced that will make or break our season (assuming I'm correct on Petgrave and Saucerman)

ginger wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 13, 2023 8:43 am

I suspect Petgrave and Saucerman are signed and the final D is one of the roles still to be filled. Given that I'm happy with this signing. D man stats are always a bit difficult to read as there's usually a lot of context that needs adding to really drill down in to whether they are where they need to be.

Whilst his +/- doesn't look as good last year, there's a number of factors that can contribute to that. Also worth noting that+/- is being used less and less by hockey analysts because of the number of factors that can affect the stat.

Denmark is a good league and he was wanted back there, and sounds like there may have been interest from elsewhere in the league, so certainly must have something about him.

I think it really is the forwards to be announced that will make or break our season (assuming I'm correct on Petgrave and Saucerman)

Agreed Ginger, there are a lot of factors which determine +/- stats. For example, Diffley may have been put on the ice against the oppositions top lines, which would undoubtedly impact his numbers.

I'd like to think Fox digs deep into the stats and looks at all elements (I'm sure he does).

For us supporters though, there's not much to go at in the off season, so looking at the stats is always an interesting angle which creates debate. For a defenceman I tend to take more interest in their +/- than points scored.

Forwards it's mostly about the goals.

Regards

Doom

If the last 3 D men were :

Saucernan
Petgrave
Nevalainen

Would people be happy with that??

BontSteeler wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 13, 2023 9:18 am

If the last 3 D men were :

Saucernan
Petgrave
Nevalainen

Would people be happy with that??

I'd be very happy with that, because on paper I think our defence would look stronger than Belast's and they're the benchmark.

Of course we all know hockey isn't played on paper.

I know there were plenty of people questioning Petgrave, but for me his partnership with Nevalainen was outstanding and certainly up there with the top 3 pairings in the league. Whilst he did get caught out of position plenty of times, he was also responsible for a lot of the goals we scored and fortunately the unselfish play of Nevalainen bailed him out numerous times.

If Petgrave returns without Nevalainen, then Fox will need to be very careful who he pairs him with to get the best out of him.

Regards

Doom

Doom wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 13, 2023 9:40 am

BontSteeler wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 13, 2023 9:18 am

If the last 3 D men were :

Saucernan
Petgrave
Nevalainen

Would people be happy with that??

I'd be very happy with that, because on paper I think our defence would look stronger than Belast's and they're the benchmark.

Of course we all know hockey isn't played on paper.

I know there were plenty of people questioning Petgrave, but for me his partnership with Nevalainen was outstanding and certainly up there with the top 3 pairings in the league. Whilst he did get caught out of position plenty of times, he was also responsible for a lot of the goals we scored and fortunately the unselfish play of Nevalainen bailed him out numerous times.

If Petgrave returns without Nevalainen, then Fox will need to be very careful who he pairs him with to get the best out of him.

Regards

Doom

Can't disagree there at all.
Our biggest issue was a lack of goal scorers/proper first line, closing out games and competing for a full 60 last year. So will wait and see what the last few forward signings are.

Doom wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 13, 2023 8:58 am

ginger wrote: ↑

Thu Jul 13, 2023 8:43 am

I suspect Petgrave and Saucerman are signed and the final D is one of the roles still to be filled. Given that I'm happy with this signing. D man stats are always a bit difficult to read as there's usually a lot of context that needs adding to really drill down in to whether they are where they need to be.

Whilst his +/- doesn't look as good last year, there's a number of factors that can contribute to that. Also worth noting that+/- is being used less and less by hockey analysts because of the number of factors that can affect the stat.

Denmark is a good league and he was wanted back there, and sounds like there may have been interest from elsewhere in the league, so certainly must have something about him.

I think it really is the forwards to be announced that will make or break our season (assuming I'm correct on Petgrave and Saucerman)

Agreed Ginger, there are a lot of factors which determine +/- stats. For example, Diffley may have been put on the ice against the oppositions top lines, which would undoubtedly impact his numbers.

I'd like to think Fox digs deep into the stats and looks at all elements (I'm sure he does).

For us supporters though, there's not much to go at in the off season, so looking at the stats is always an interesting angle which creates debate. For a defenceman I tend to take more interest in their +/- than points scored.

Forwards it's mostly about the goals.

Regards

Doom

Agree we have a lot less to go on! Listening to his interview it sounds like he was playing a lot against others top lines so not as surprised to see lower +/-

I think the majority of coaches are using the more advanced analytics these days, and I suspect player agents have all those stats to help market their clients. Video is also so much easier to get now, which is why I believe we've not signed any really poor options since Fox took over. Might have been some who didn't work out/couldn't adapt to league etc, but none have been downright bad hockey players/no where near standard.

I'd definitely be happy with Nevalainen added to Petgrave and Saucerman. Agree that would probably give us one of the best back ends on paper. Petgrave/Nevalainen partnership was a legit 1st pairing for a top side in our league, and had we signed Saucerman previously I would have said he's a top pairing on paper.

Forwards are where we need something extra - 5 forwards to sign, and at least 2 new top liners are required.