It's undoubted that the Giants roster is a good one and they will be challenging. But they have thrown their best for last in their signings and I think that's clouded things a bit.
the way people are going on, it's like the Giants and Steelers have created the best EIHL rosters ever, and for sure they look strong. But I think we need to be cautious we aren't playing down our own here.
I particularly think we look to have the strongest D core of the challengers.
for the Steelers I don't think Johnson was great last year, Phillips has shown he has mistakes in him, and I wouldn't swap O'Connor for Richardson Defensively. Brocklehurst looks very good, but Meland isn't any better than the Imports we have in my opinion. They will get stronger Goaltending, but that D core isn't as balanced or equipped as ours for me on paper.
Same with the Giants, Raine is going to need to play up a line in his responsibility to take over from Roach, would anyone swap Raine for any of our Defenceman? I personally wouldn't, Forsberg is a complete unknown entity (but may be great) Leonard I thought was ok, but I suspect wouldn't have been kept had other D men stayed at the Giants, and then they have rounded out with a very good pair in Mullen and Pelech. crucially though they have downgraded in Net.
It's going to be an amazing season, but we aren't behind the 8 ball in the way some fans seem to be painting us. Teams were always going to come after us, we just have to raise to their challenge.