ASHIPP said:
Either Steelers' fans are playing it down by saying they are hoping for upgrades on players or simply haven't noticed how big the exodus is. Apart from the 3 originals on uni deals, all their imports from last year have gone.
Maybe I am playing it down a bit as I don't feel worried or anything but likewise I think calling it a big exodus is playing it up.
The same thing happened last season when Christiansen came in. The only imports that returned were Goertzen and Fata for their 2nd year of Uni deals plus Legue. In fact looking back over last 5 seasons unless I have missed some players the number of returning imports is generally around the same amount. The Steelers don't seem to re-sign many imports outside uni deals unless its the likes of Sarich and Legue who have been around for a fair few seasons.
2014/2015 Import returnees = 3 - Baldwin, Kohn, Doyle
2013/2014 Import returnees = 3 - Goertzen, Fata, Legue
2012/2013 Import returnees = 4 - DeCaro, Sarich, Stephenson, Legue
2011/2012 Import returnees = 2 - Sarich, Clark, Legue
2010/2011 Import returnees = 3 - Bolibruck, Sarich, Legue
I was expecting the majority of the imports to leave as new coaches tend to want to bring in their own team anyway and as mentioned not many imports often return.
I was hoping Goertzen would return but was expecting him to go to a decent European league as coming off a Uni deal I would have thought he would want a raise plus extra he had given up in taking a Uni deal. Seeing Goertzen then go to Coventry was a big shock and very disappointing.
I wasn't fussed about Fata, Langlais or Lacroix returning. I would have liked Blight back as the new dual national import but once Sarich returned and the disrespectful articles about him potentially being injured came out I didn't think he would return.
I expected Legue to return but wasn't surprised he hasn't after he was a offered a 3 year deal with the Steeldogs as I think 1 more year for Steelers might have been it for him anyway. Would have liked DiCasmirro and Meyer back but always thought they would go abroad. Thought Spencer might have returned but if it was as a Dman as had been suggested I would have said no myself plus no way he was turning down an AHL contract to come back.
The Nell experiment didn't work out so wasn't expecting him back and with the extra import I also expected to lose Meyers or Thomas although I had hoped it would have been Thomas that had gone personally.
I expect Woolhouse to return with Jaszczyk as 3rd cover again so for me its not been that much different to most off-seasons for the Steelers signing wise, outside losing long timer Legue and not having a load of off ice issue coming up.
