Steelers signings and departures

[DiscoRay]

Can we have a @DiscoRay perspective on Lucas Brine.. its always good to get an opinion first hand from someone who has seen him play...
After asking around at end of last season when the story broke of his issues with Glasgow.. a didnt hear a bad word about him...?

Jayboy

He'll be a solid netty who can do 20-25 games, with the long-term potential to be a starter. Wouldn't let the headline stats worry you, as he was sometimes brought on during crisis situations when our lacklustre D let 3, 4 goals in a period. He's one of these quiet professional types who gets on with the job.

It's alleged our new coaching team told him he needed: "some adversity", so withdrew him from the GB squad when he was slated to start for GB against Ukraine. As Clan were playing the same evening, for us only to run with both imports anyway, so didn't even end up on the match night roster. Given the lack of Clan comment around that, and complete lack of ceremony or mention of his departure, tells me there is some weight to those rumours and they didn't handle him in the best manner they should have.

With theoretically "better" players in-front of him, I'd say that reduces any perceived risks in playing him, though you can't have it all ways. Young Brits won't get better unless they get a certain base of ice time, they'll make mistakes but then so do the imports on plenty of occasions. Belfast did the time with Whistle, and got the benefits from him. The main advantage you guys have, is the now full integration with the Steeldogs. He could also play there to both keep match fit, and/or dominate a bit if he needs a confidence boost.

[Clear The Zone]

We’ve been very lucky with Greenfield and injuries, I don’t remember him being out at all tbh, certainly not for any significant length of time.

He got injured in the CHL and ultimately that probably cost us the league title that season.

The goalie situation also highlights the insanity of the current setup where the league title is the big one, and the fact it puts the kibosh on Brit development. Because none of the big teams contending for a title can risk putting a Warburton in next against Fife in October, losing, then finding at the end of the season you finish one single point behind Belfast again. So Warbs doesn't play, Oldale doesn't play, Shudra gets 30 seconds per game, Neilson swans off to Fife etc etc. There's a reason why other leagues in Europe and North America aren't setup like this with the regular season league title being the main objective.

The best thing for Brit development, goalies and outskaters, would be a longer proper playoff series, no league trophy to speak of, and do whatever you need to do to make the financial losses for the two teams who miss the playoffs minimal (ie some form of revenue sharing, or a draft system for upcoming players). Then teams can afford to risk the odd loss, and can play the Brits more.

[ginger]

Here's the thing, Bowns will be retiring within the next 2 seasons (I'd guess), Whistle is only ever fit 50% of the year.

That's the only 2 Brit classed goalies better than Brine. We missed out on Bowns which should never have happened. This is probably the move to ensure we don't do the same again.

As DiscoRay says, a better D in front of him will help.

It's not absolutely ideal, but it could easily be taken the risk now, or lose the next legit starting Brit goalie.

[ginger]

We’ve been very lucky with Greenfield and injuries, I don’t remember him being out at all tbh, certainly not for any significant length of time.

He got injured in the CHL and ultimately that probably cost us the league title that season.

The goalie situation also highlights the insanity of the current setup where the league title is the big one, and the fact it puts the kibosh on Brit development. Because none of the big teams contending for a title can risk putting a Warburton in next against Fife in October, losing, then finding at the end of the season you finish one single point behind Belfast again. So Warbs doesn't play, Oldale doesn't play, Shudra gets 30 seconds per game, Neilson swans off to Fife etc etc. There's a reason why other leagues in Europe and North America aren't setup like this with the regular season league title being the main objective.

The best thing for Brit development, goalies and outskaters, would be a longer proper playoff series, no league trophy to speak of, and do whatever you need to do to make the financial losses for the two teams who miss the playoffs minimal (ie some form of revenue sharing, or a draft system for upcoming players). Then teams can afford to risk the odd loss, and can play the Brits more.

This.

It's (along with better junior development - i.e no mixed ability from u14/15 onwards (best play with and against best)), the only way to get more British players the reps they need at the higher level/pace.

Unfortunately will never get a proper playoff series, but then why not go back to the 2 groups of 4 and then the weekend (ala old Heineken league). That means guaranteed venue dates/usage, but allows for British development in the regular season

[MLL79]

We’ve been very lucky with Greenfield and injuries, I don’t remember him being out at all tbh, certainly not for any significant length of time.

He got injured in the CHL and ultimately that probably cost us the league title that season.

Crikey yes, of course! Homer Simpson doh moment lol
(I am off ill atm… although not with amnesia lol)

But also a case in point that a viable back-up is a necessity. Good to see comments from those in the know, but being a prospect must be regarded as a risk (who hopefully is the next Bounds).

Great shouts on the league/playoff format, a longer more emphasised playoff series with the mini league tables etc. would certainly be welcomed in this household. The current format feels very rushed over-and-done-with too quickly for my taste, which must make it less satisfying for the players and coaches too. Unless you win of course…

[Doom]

As a fan, I would be happy to give a Brit goalie the opportunity to play 15 or so games in a full season, even if that means we might lose the odd game. There has to be noticeable improvement though.

Therein lies the problem, a few losses could be the difference between silverware or another season with no success.

The margins between the big boys in our league can be very fine, do you have more chance of success with a 92% to 93% netminder or an 89% netminder?

Fox's main responsibility is to put out an entertaining successful team. If we lose a few games as a result of going with Brine, I've no doubt many of those applauding this decision would be criticising Fox.

I've no problem with giving a few selective games to Brine to help his development and give Greener a rest, but there's no way Fox is going to give him all the CC games.

Realistically I could see him getting 3 or 4 in the CC and maybe a dozen in the league. He also might get a few part games if we're well ahead/behind.

It's an interesting decision by Fox, but I think it's a risky one because Brine doesn't give us the same chance to win as a McAdam did.

Looking forward, I could see us going with 6 import d when Brine is in net with no detriment to the forwards, because assuming we have a British back-up we'd be able to ice an extra import out skater.

Regards

Doom

[MLL79]

Re the imports/Brits - Hoping Steele proves to be a steady and reliable regular for us back on D - from the snippets I’ve picked up on he seems to be having a good GB campaign.

This should give Fox some flexibility on the netminders combo. Wonder if we will end up with 3 on the roster?

[ginger]

Re the imports/Brits - Hoping Steele proves to be a steady and reliable regular for us back on D - from the snippets I’ve picked up on he seems to be having a good GB campaign.

This should give Fox some flexibility on the netminders combo. Wonder if we will end up with 3 on the roster?

Steele has the tools, he needs reps and experience. He'll make errors but his skillset is probably the best for a British D man since BOC

[smbmetal]

As a fan, I would be happy to give a Brit goalie the opportunity to play 15 or so games in a full season, even if that means we might lose the odd game. There has to be noticeable improvement though.

Therein lies the problem, a few losses could be the difference between silverware or another season with no success.

The margins between the big boys in our league can be very fine, do you have more chance of success with a 92% to 93% netminder or an 89% netminder?

Fox's main responsibility is to put out an entertaining successful team. If we lose a few games as a result of going with Brine, I've no doubt many of those applauding this decision would be criticising Fox.

I've no problem with giving a few selective games to Brine to help his development and give Greener a rest, but there's no way Fox is going to give him all the CC games.

Realistically I could see him getting 3 or 4 in the CC and maybe a dozen in the league. He also might get a few part games if we're well ahead/behind.

It's an interesting decision by Fox, but I think it's a risky one because Brine doesn't give us the same chance to win as a McAdam did.

Looking forward, I could see us going with 6 import d when Brine is in net with no detriment to the forwards, because assuming we have a British back-up we'd be able to ice an extra import out skater.

Regards

Doom

So for me, he gets all the CC games minus the final if we get there. We play a million CC games and I’m not fussed about winning that competition IF it means that we can get a potential number 1 Brit goalie longer term.

I agree, initially he can’t be risked in too many League games, but if as fans we want a number 1 Brit goalie to play regularly for the Steelers, then building them up through the CC might be a potential pathway if we can get past not winning it.

Fox’s job is to put out a successful team, I don’t feel his teams are entertaining, which will always be subjective.

I hope Brine gets the chance to impress, I really do. He has a great mentor to learn off in Greenfield that is for sure.

[tim123]

Brine was .932%, 2.04 GAA in 7 challenge cup games last season, seems more than capable to me...

Sent from my Pixel 7a using Tapatalk