Steelers signings and departures

[Doom]

I was just having a bit of a reconciliation of my pre-season scoring predictions and I reckon for at least 75% of the players on the top 4 teams their actual scoring was less than my prediction.

Having just had a look at the league scoring, there were only 5 players on for a 25+ goal season last season (Balmas, Conway, MacDonald, Pearson and Marcinew). The previous season there were 13 players.

Overall there were approximately 100 less goals scored across the league.

It would appear goals are a little harder to come by now, but I also suspect there's more of a spread in the scoring across the 3 (or 4) lines on the top teams?

The relevance of this is that in the past I've always considered we need 2 or 3 25+ scorers to challenge for the title, but it would seem now you can get away with 1, as long as you've got a few other players contributing high teens/low twenties.

For the record I think Jasper, Dowd and Archambault all look like mid teen scorers to me, so we will need a few higher end scorers signing if we want to be up there (fingers crossed for Balmas).

Regards

Doom

[MLL79]

Great to see this morning that we have Balmas back and signed up for 2 years. I think he was on everyone’s wish list!

[Rendo]

Great to see this morning that we have Balmas back and signed up for 2 years. I think he was on everyone’s wish list!

I think you've spoilt the Steelers surprise as they havent announced it yet, well on Twitter at leasst

[ginger]

Great news on Balmas - 2 year deal is huge.

Now to get him that high end centre he needs

[Doom]

For the record I think Jasper, Dowd and Archambault all look like mid teen scorers to me, so we will need a few higher end scorers signing if we want to be up there (fingers crossed for Balmas).

Regards

Doom

I don't particularly like quoting myself , but considering the news this morning I thought I'd better confirm I had no idea about the Balmas signing.

Great news to get him back on board. I can't say I'd expect another 30+ season, but I'd expect 25+ if he stays fit.

Regards

Doom

[MLL79]

lol - just came through on the WhatsApp thing this morning as I was reading @Doom post.

[ginger]

I was just having a bit of a reconciliation of my pre-season scoring predictions and I reckon for at least 75% of the players on the top 4 teams their actual scoring was less than my prediction.

Having just had a look at the league scoring, there were only 5 players on for a 25+ goal season last season (Balmas, Conway, MacDonald, Pearson and Marcinew). The previous season there were 13 players.

Overall there were approximately 100 less goals scored across the league.

It would appear goals are a little harder to come by now, but I also suspect there's more of a spread in the scoring across the 3 (or 4) lines on the top teams?

The relevance of this is that in the past I've always considered we need 2 or 3 25+ scorers to challenge for the title, but it would seem now you can get away with 1, as long as you've got a few other players contributing high teens/low twenties.

For the record I think Jasper, Dowd and Archambault all look like mid teen scorers to me, so we will need a few higher end scorers signing if we want to be up there (fingers crossed for Balmas).

Regards

Doom

Now Balmas is confirmed, I won't be shocked if Archambault is on his line since he seems to be considered an excellent set up guy. Give them a high end centre and that could be a very scary line

[MLL79]

Great news on Balmas - 2 year deal is huge.

Now to get him that high end centre he needs

Like @ginger I was thinking with Archambault, the theory might be he would be the playmaker to Balmas the sniper.

Very early days of course, but feels like things shaping up positively so far.

Remotest of chances I know, but I really hope something can be done to see Ritchie return.

[Doom]

Now Balmas is confirmed, I won't be shocked if Archambault is on his line since he seems to be considered an excellent set up guy. Give them a high end centre and that could be a very scary line

I was thinking something similar.

I was out with my mates last weekend at the Sheff Uni Beer Fest and we were running through the signings to date.

All very happy with the Brits, some good experience and plenty of future potential there.

I expressed my concerns about Archambault, mainly regarding his likely goal output and his age (he's clearly on the downward slope). My mate who does lots of stats thought on paper he looked similar to Ciampini when we signed him, but with a bit more of an up side (particularly regarding assists).

With Balmas now signing I'm far less concerned regarding Archambault's likely goal scoring potential. Like you say, put Balmas and Archambault with a good centre (say Watling in his prime) and that would look a very productive line.

Regards

Doom

[DSLSteeler]

Superb news about Balmas. I was waiting for that one. 2 year deal as well. Good way to start the weekend.