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Post by dudestar on Apr 6, 2016 21:08:40 GMT
With Chamberlain and Griff signing two year deals with MK, we've effectively allowed them to walk to another EIHL rival. Really hoping that somehow we can persuade Hook to come to us instead; we need cover when Tait finally retires (probably another ten years or so), and then in a few more years when Cowley goes as well (assuming they're returning for the coming season.) Definitely keep Venus and Clements, I'm hoping they will stick around for many years to come.
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chunk
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Post by chunk on Apr 7, 2016 8:06:42 GMT
Agreed about Bruton. I worry about the state of our defence if we keep anyone other than JJ or Noble... I don't think we gave Stewart any sort of protection last season. With Godfrey also signed and Clements likely to return that's 4 out the starting 6 coming back anyway. I agree that Stewart needs more protection - the final 2 (if we stick with 6D) need to be able to clear the crease.
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chunk
Third Line Grinder
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Post by chunk on Apr 7, 2016 8:08:58 GMT
With Chamberlain and Griff signing two year deals with MK, we've effectively allowed them to walk to another EIHL rival. Really hoping that somehow we can persuade Hook to come to us instead; we need cover when Tait finally retires (probably another ten years or so), and then in a few more years when Cowley goes as well (assuming they're returning for the coming season.) Definitely keep Venus and Clements, I'm hoping they will stick around for many years to come. I don't think the two-ways helped us at all last season. We either need to form a relationship with another club who's priority really is developing players, or do it ourselves.
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Post by Stuart Coles on Apr 7, 2016 8:15:49 GMT
In an ideal world, we'd do it ourselves. If space on the budget allows, I'd sign up a clutch of young Brits, loan them out to other clubs but have first call on them if we needed/wanted them. The way the current two way contracts work only is of benefit if the players are able to train with the EIHL team and there are enough games where the two teams' schedule doesn't clash. I think there was one game last season...
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Post by Ramsay on Apr 7, 2016 10:45:48 GMT
Imports (from the end of the season) and what I think we should do with them, I'd like to retain all our British and am hopeful as to us bringing up our two ways to play for us next season so we have some sort of claim over them before Milton Keynes join the league
#41-Stewart-Wonderful, best netminder in the league, amazing for us, glad we've got him for another year
#2-Isaacs-I'm mostly indifferent, wouldn't be disappointed if we resign him, but wouldn't be disappointed to hear he moved on somewhere, probably retain him if it was my choice #5-Quesnele-Very good in my opinion, my favourite defensemen, after Jorgensen #7-Godfrey-Similar to Isaacs, not fussed either way, though I'd rather have Isaacs as Godfrey's inconsistency is unpredictable at best #11-Jorgensen-One of the best denfensemen I've seen in a blaze strip, over the moon abut this resigning #48-Valabik-Despite the fact he's only really had a few fights you can see how intimidated other teams are of him, though I can see why he'd want to leave as well as he gets picked on by the refs, not fussed either way here, again I'd probably have him back if it was my decision to make #56-Noble-Glad we've resigned him, he's hard hitting, full of spirit, doesn't make many mistakes, solid signing
#14-Tanaka-I'm not really pleased with Tanaka, he draws a lot of penalties and plays hard but he doesn't bring much more than that, I won't be pleased or displeased with signing him #16-Pietrus-When he first joined he was very slow to get off the mark, and I feel although if we replace several forwards then he's going to take a while to begin getting points again, if we keep a lot of our forwards then I look forward to seeing him again, if not then I hope he surprises me #20-Fisher-Much as his penalty shots are amazing and he plays hard in the dirty areas, he only got about .7 points a game, his kind are pretty common and can be improved upon relatively easily, I'd probably take him simply because we know he him rather than take a risk on someone new, but I won't be sad to see him leave either #22-Walker-He was the goalscorer we were looking for all season, much as he takes a lot of penalties, he can score from almost behind the net, I'd like to see him back in blue simply for the fact he can put the puck in the net when we need it most #23-Robinson-Started very very weak, but also ended very very strong, if we retain a lot of our forwards I'm confident he'll start strong next season, if not then I'm worried it'll take a while to build that back up, I'm hopeful but sceptical #57-Bruton-I can't imagine anyone not wanting Bruton back, he plays hard fast, has highest ppg in the league since joining us, just amazing, if I could only have one player back it'd be a very hard call between Bruton, Jorgensen and Stewart #91-Lauzon-10 a penny really, only reason he was any better than Lukacevic was that he could adopt Weber's plays slightly quicker, I'd like to see him gone and take a risk on someone new, very unimpressed
Just my opinion, I know I have my own little biases and that I'm seeing what I want to see. agree? Disagree?
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Post by Frenchie on Apr 7, 2016 12:01:19 GMT
I'm interested to see whether the club goes with 6 Import D (with Clements at 7) and then 7 import forwards, or 5 import d and 8 import forwards.
If, as we hope, Hook will come in to our forward lines, where does that leave Cowley and Venus? The club said last season that they wouldn't go to four lines, but I wonder if the Playoff Final made them think any different.
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Post by Stuart Coles on Apr 7, 2016 12:14:40 GMT
I think the move to four lines is coming. I would go with 5 import D, 8 import forwards. Clements would be 6th D with Tait, Cowley, Venus & Hook making 12 forwards. Can the budget stretch that far? I'd hope so.
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fleece
Third Line Grinder
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Post by fleece on Apr 7, 2016 13:56:39 GMT
It says a lot that even though we just about scraped into 8th spot, most people want Chuck back next season (me included).
The only player he didn't seem to be able to get anything out of was Lawrence, and that didn't last long.
Bruton has turned out to be the type of physical forward that I'd hoped Lawrence might have been for us, so I'd like to see him back as well.
Walker tailed off for the last few games, it was as if he'd found out he wasn't going to re-signed, but I hope he's back for another season.
I'd like to see Boris back, anyone that can wind up the Steelers fans that much has got to be a must!
Tanaka has blown hot and cold all season, but he finished with a good playoff run, so have him back (also I'd hate to see his sad face if we cut him!)
Fisher and Lauzon I think we could improve on, but I wouldn't be overly pee'd off if they re-signed
Bottom line, they haven't been a bad team this season, there's no real standout duds. If anything, I'd like to see us bring in a proper poacher for next season, a player like Tendler was (at times) would've had a lot more goals this time round IMO
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Post by antlers on Apr 7, 2016 14:06:36 GMT
I am slightly confused - most people would like to see virtually the same team signed for next season - however this is the same team that finished eighth in the league and didn't qualify for the challenge cup quarter finals. Are we forgetting the season as a whole and remembering the good parts from the play offs. I think most players have their merits but this did not equate into a successful team over the season. Surely we should be looking to upgrade on players - I would imagine that the likes of Cardiff etc. will be.
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fleece
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Post by fleece on Apr 7, 2016 14:21:31 GMT
I think changes will be made, but I honestly think they don't need to be wholesale changes. The team and individual performances improved loads as the season went on, and I reckon it would be a waste of those improvements made if we started the next season with another different set of players IMO
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chunk
Third Line Grinder
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Post by chunk on Apr 7, 2016 15:12:29 GMT
The changes we made during the season (Lawrence, Lukacevic and Trimm for Pietrus, Walker and Bruton) had a huge impact on the team. If we'd started the season with the squad that we finished with, then we might have finished a lot higher than 8th.
If you can improve within budget then you obviously should, but I'd still like to keep a core to help us start well next season. I don't think we'll have to cope with our best players retiring, as happened last season, this time around either.
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Post by blazefan501 on Apr 7, 2016 19:25:47 GMT
I would like to see most of the team back also, as said above once we made a couple of changes things improved and also it does seem to take players a good while to buy into Chuck's systems wholesale changes would not be good , having said that it all depends on who will be here as coach , the players here may not be good under another coach style , the coach needs sorting before deciding on 2 many more players I think myself
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Post by Bourbonmuncher on Apr 7, 2016 19:28:15 GMT
Based on what level of play they were probably signed for, Godfrey has probably been the biggest let down, but was he playing with an injury? He didn't really impose himself as I'd expected.
Quesnele is probably the diciest defensively, scored a few but wasn't trusted on the PK. Someone somewhere has to be changed to improve things.
Likewise, Fisher didn't excel in regulation time and both Walker and Lauzon struggled a little when they didn't get space. I'd give Walker the benefit of not having had a pre-season but he is a little slow. Venus is also slow, great defensively but must be back for defensive forward duties. His two goals a year won't win us much.
The whole Brit thing is a bit tricky - Tait may age eventually, Hook may be tempted to stay in MK until the move, the cupboard is mostly bare. I hope we were scouting the heck out of the EPL, especially the weekend days we had no game, but I doubt it.
Blaze showed they can compete with the big guns this year so they should aim to compete all year, not just from February. Nothing against any of the individuals in this year's team but something needs to change.
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Post by hannah on Apr 7, 2016 19:35:58 GMT
Does anyone know who was responsible for the recruitment of last season's team? I think this is where having a coach in place early is important as it's not just about ability, but how they fit in and adapt to the system. The more complex the system and different from player's style the longer it will take a team to be competitive.
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Post by blazefan501 on Apr 7, 2016 19:54:36 GMT
Does anyone know who was responsible for the recruitment of last season's team? I think this is where having a coach in place early is important as it's not just about ability, but how they fit in and adapt to the system. The more complex the system and different from player's style the longer it will take a team to be competitive. The main rumour was Pease signed the team, but I would suggest they talked about players and made a joint decision then Pease did the paperwork side of it , cant see Chuck not being involved in bringing in players
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 7, 2016 20:04:58 GMT
For me, Weber and Pease made a lot of mistakes with last season's signings. It's not a case of bad players, but bad placement and structure.
Stewart - the best shootout and one of the best netminders in this league. I'm happy we've got him for another season.
Defenders:
Isaac/Quesnelle - Neither really fill the role we needed. We need some muscle in the form of Lee and Eggy back there. I don't think we should keep them.
Godfrey - Probably my most disappointing signing. He was bought in to be the offensive defensemen, but has shown little of it.
Jorgensen - Glad to have him back.
Valabik - With the lack of strength at the back, we needed him this season. Fix this however, and I feel he becomes redundant. I'd let him go.
Noble - He's got the heart and spirit and as a 5 d man, he's a good re-signing.
Forwards:
Walker - We've seen glimpses of a good player, but I think teams were starting to work him out. I also think he sort of doesn't fit a role completely, so I'd let him go.
Bruton - One of the best all round forwards I've seen in a Blaze jersey in years. He should be top priority to re-sign!
Robbo - Self confessed to having a weak start, but he's become the Blaze "engine" so to speak. Glad he's back.
Lauzon - Too inconsistent for me. He also again doesn't fit a role, I'd let him go.
Pietrus - Glad he's back. He's another decent all rounder and knows where the net is too.
Fisher - Think we could do better and doesn't fit what we need.
Tanaka - I strongly suspect he's leaving, but if not, I'd keep providing he's not on a big wage.
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scott
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Post by scott on Apr 8, 2016 8:55:45 GMT
All of the team were nice guys however if we stick with predominantly with what we got, will we end up back where we were? Some changes must happen if nothing else to give us a change of style and play slightly.
Finding at least two Brits is a must to help make four lines, no disrespect to the guys but when the Steelers and Panthers were rolling four lines against three at pace it showed by the end of the game. We hung on to the lead just in the first leg of the quarter final at home. I think we also need a bit more size and physical play amongst the forwards and at least one more physical D men.
We also need a couple of two ways with us having first call which is where we lost out last year. MK understandably didn't want to release players when at the time they were near the top of the EPL. Likewise Swindon with Selby (Who did play) and Flatsy (Phoenix) who came in a couple of times. This takes money away from the first 9/12 forwards though.
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chunk
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Post by chunk on Apr 8, 2016 9:38:58 GMT
Finding at least two Brits is a must to help make four lines We'd only need to find one brit to make four lines as the import limit is going up by one next season.
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scott
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Post by scott on Apr 8, 2016 10:27:00 GMT
Finding at least two Brits is a must to help make four lines We'd only need to find one brit to make four lines as the import limit is going up by one next season. It is, but Ash isn't going to play for ever. That's one of the other things that needs bottoming out so we don't have the problem we encountered last year where we built a line around Steve Goertzen who then retired mid way through the summer. Throws your balance and finances around if that happens.
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fanta
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Post by fanta on Apr 9, 2016 9:59:11 GMT
Valabik to leave along with Godfrey, if his release can be agreed. Also Walker to go and I presume Lauzon will join his friend Pacha at Storm. Im amazed how many seem to want Boris back given his limited enforcing and being a liability in many games due to his discipline issues. Until the playoffs began I would have released Tanaka without hesitation but I am 50/50 now. Bruton and Fisher are clear favourites to re-sign in my opinion.
As for any MK brits I imagine that wont happen now as they will stay there for a year and come to the league with them.
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