How many imports will be back next season

[Firefox1001]

My thoughts:

63 Brendan Connolly - Likely to return.
88 Marc-Olivier Vallerand - Probably will be back.
15 Anthony DeLuca - Don't see him going anywhere.
10 Tanner Eberle - Want back, will have clubs chasing him.
52 Nikolai Lemtyugov - Will probably move on as his choice rather than club's.
8 Marek Troncinsky - Would keep, think he will go elsewhere.
19 Michael Davies - Likely to move on.
90 John Armstrong - 50/50. He likes it here but may fancy a move elsewhere.
2 Aaron Brocklehurst - Back to Central Europe is my guess.
81 Ben O'Connor - Will be back.
28 Lucas Sandström - Probably back to Sweden. Would like to keep. Has done well after a slow start.
75 Robert Dowd - Back
20 Jonathan Phillips - Another year or two at least for Jono. Wont be leaving.

13 David Phillips - Back
97 Josef Hrabal - Would keep. Likely moving back to home country.
42 James Bettauer - Signed on 2 year deal. Would release.
53 Aaron Johnson - Probable retirement.
55 Janne Kolehmainen - Back home.
23 Jonas Liwing - Release.
91 Mikko Kuukka - Get back if possible. Unlikely though.
21 Alex Graham - Keep. Should be on bench more regularly.
27 Cole Shudra - Tough one. May need to move away.
12 Kieran Brown - Keep.

70 Tomáš Duba - May become Goalkeeper Coach.
31 William Kerlin - Keep either him or Warburton as young back-up.
34 Curtis Warburton - See Kerlin.
30 - Jeremy Brodeur - Need to see him in action to determine his status.

[SteelerBlade]

My thoughts:

63 Brendan Connolly - Likely to return.
88 Marc-Olivier Vallerand - Probably will be back.
15 Anthony DeLuca - Don't see him going anywhere.
10 Tanner Eberle - Want back, will have clubs chasing him.
52 Nikolai Lemtyugov - Will probably move on as his choice rather than club's.
8 Marek Troncinsky - Would keep, think he will go elsewhere.
19 Michael Davies - Likely to move on.
90 John Armstrong - 50/50. He likes it here but may fancy a move elsewhere.
2 Aaron Brocklehurst - Back to Central Europe is my guess.
81 Ben O'Connor - Will be back.
28 Lucas Sandström - Probably back to Sweden. Would like to keep. Has done well after a slow start.
75 Robert Dowd - Back
20 Jonathan Phillips - Another year or two at least for Jono. Wont be leaving.

13 David Phillips - Back
97 Josef Hrabal - Would keep. Likely moving back to home country.
42 James Bettauer - Signed on 2 year deal. Would release.
53 Aaron Johnson - Probable retirement.
55 Janne Kolehmainen - Back home.
23 Jonas Liwing - Release.
91 Mikko Kuukka - Get back if possible. Unlikely though.
21 Alex Graham - Keep. Should be on bench more regularly.
27 Cole Shudra - Tough one. May need to move away.
12 Kieran Brown - Keep.

70 Tomáš Duba - May become Goalkeeper Coach.
31 William Kerlin - Keep either him or Warburton as young back-up.
34 Curtis Warburton - See Kerlin.
30 - Jeremy Brodeur - Need to see him in action to determine his status.

Almost exactly how I see it!

Although isn't Sandström banned from Allsvenskan still for assault of ref or has he served that?

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[TealSteeler]

Here's my two pennerth then.

FORWARDS
Tanner Eberle - Has had an amazing breakout season and like Vallerand, needs to be given an offer which he will find too hard to decline. Destined for bigger and better things.
Anthony DeLuca - Vallerand's faithful sidekick. Could easily become a regular 30+ goal a season scorer for us if we can keep hold of him. Has his best years ahead of him.
Michael Davies - Sometimes flatters to deceive but a great creator of chances. Will probably head back into Europe I guess.
Lucas Sandström - Like DeLuca, he had a slow start to his Steelers career but has chipped in with some important goals for the team. Would be a handy person to have on board next season if he wants to stay here.
Nikolai Lemtyugov - At times brilliant with such soft hands and skills, but has he done enough to warrant a second season?
Janne Kolehmainen - A big body who has filled a void when we needed one to do so. Will probably head back to Finland.
Brendan Connolly - A proper old school Steelers fan favourite. Reminds me of how Turbo Tim used to play, getting under the skins of opponents and officials alike. Has continued his consistency from the Giants and Clan.
Marc-Olivier Vallerand - Brilliant player on and off ice. He's the sniper we have been searching for so long. Make him an offer that he cannot refuse.
John Armstrong - The Marmite import. Is there a new deal in the offing for the big guy? If he can have a strong end to this season then maybe. Otherwise, I can see him heading to somewhere like France or the Alps HL.

DEFENCE
Aaron Brocklehurst - Done alright, could possibly be upgraded upon.
Marek Troncinsky - The defensive pick up of the season. Surprised many with the amount of goals and assists he's picked up. Has to be a name on the blue line next season.
Jonas Liwing - Not done enough to keep him for a second campaign and at 37, maybe might be retiring.
James Bettauer - Hot and cold. Shades of Rob Globke in 2011 with the same scenario.
Aaron Johnson - Injuries and father time have caught up on him but he's always going to be warmly appreciated for what he has done. Maybe could be talked into a full time assistant's role if he wants it.
Mikko Kuukka - Was awesome in his short stint. Can we talk him into doing a full season next year? Would be great if we can but I can't see it happening.
Josef Hrabal - Showed some good signs, expecting him to go back to the Czech Republic.

NETMINDERS
Jeremy Brodeur - Not played yet but is he the one for next season and the Club haven't told us that? Young, great pedigree, would be excited to see what he can bring to the Steelers table.
Tomáš Duba - Has said he wants to be a NM coach when his career ends. Maybe we can offer him that kind of role and have him on hand and ready if we run into a NM crisis.

[Lukejohnspencer]

What makes a player an import?

I know Connolly is an import who was born, raised and trained in Canada, but he's played for GB now... does that change things?

[SteelerBlade]

What makes a player an import?

I know Connolly is an import who was born, raised and trained in Canada, but he's played for GB now... does that change things?

No, to be a Brit you must've played junior in the UK for 2 years to be classed as "British Trained" and hold a British Passport

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[JoeySlats#13]

Imports

Forwards:

Eberle - a must keep was good last year has been fantastic this season, one of the heart beat players who can play all scenarios and all lines! Can play C or Wing too! Great character, hits like a train and is a real high energy buzz guy for us and this season has added major points for us too.

DeLuca - a must keep, goal scoring had been a major issue for us in seasons past (recently) he has shown he can score for fun in this team and has been excellent this season his defensive game much improved, look at the desperation save in the CC final too clearly loves it here and we definitely need characters and players like him back.

Davies - would keep but I would want him playing on the wing, one area we have been light this season is face-offs and strong centremen, Cardiff generate so much from dominating in the circle and it's definitely something I hope Fox can go out and sign. I like him though and he is great on the PP! Keep him away from the pegs

Sandstrom - would keep, picked his scoring up after a slow start and has been a tempo setter for us on a number of occasions, good 3rd line guy. Could be an issue with retaining so many wingers if we are looking to bring in some centers.

Lemtyugov - would keep, outstanding puck retention, silky moves and has that X factor to get that goal when needed, Blaze OT goal comes to mind. A classy offensive player and would struggle to bring in someone of his class - again could struggle with how many wingers we keep.

Kolehmainen - I like his physicality game but I doubt we will see him back to be honest, I think he will return to Finland, wouldn't mind keeping him for 3rd / 4th line if numbers fit.

Connolly - MUST keep, he has been awesome for us, a real warrior and battler! Scores heavy points, isn't flashy in terms of skills but gets it done! Has great chemistry with Vallerand, would keep as a center but would like to seem him on his favoured LW. Hope we can keep him as he has moved each of the last 3 seasons within the EIHL. Since he has cut down on the minor penalties he has been arguably our best player and is a real rat for other teams!

Vallerand - MUST keep, same as DeLuca a true goal scorer - something we've all longed for, for a while! A great sniper, character on and off the ice! Came here to win trophies and hopefully winning the CC and being in contention for the other 2 trophies will help us retain his services! Another guy who can change a game single handedly with his speed and shot.

Armstrong - would keep, I thought he was awesome on Sunday (CC final ) when he is playing physical along the boards he is a completely different player, he is a strong face off man for us and plays all situations. Would like to keep him and get one or two more centers who can win face offs. Plays well with Dowdy and his goals has dropped off since his (Dowdy's) injury, hopefully he stays.

With the Brits we would keep all of them I would assume but that gives us a big number of wingers!!

1. Vallerand
2. DeLuca
3. Lemtyugov
4. Sandstrom
5. Eberle
6. Connolly (could easily be at center)
7. Davies (could be at center)
8. Dowd
9. Jono
10. Brown
11. Graham
12. Shudra

Even if we made Davies and Eberle centers we would still have 2 wingers sat out if we do retain all of the above. With the import level dropping to 13 I think we might see more of the younger Brits (hopefully), definitely some tough decisions ahead - of course some may be made easier if the player decides to move on....I wouldn't be surprised if this was the case, but all of them seem to like Sheffield, the fans and Fox and vice versa so it will be interesting to see what we look like next season. A good number of them will receive good offers from other clubs too, be that within the EIHL or elsewhere in Europe.

It would be extremely difficult to retain all of the forwards and develop the younger Brits, who will eventually have to take the places of Jono and Dowdy in years to come. I would hate to see us lose any of the younger Brits and it would be good to be a 4 line team again and get them out there developing, maybe a 4th line center could be brought in to center that line?