2015/2016 Rumour & Offseason Random Shenanigans
- Thread starter Chris
- Start date
We do have a huge void to fill in terms of Myers. He was one of best fore checkers in league and created a lot of turnovers behind opponents net. He created havoc for D men. Mychan had times where he did too. Plus both were grinders.
Bottom line is we have a new look forward style of play based more on speed and skill. However IMO we do need more physicality up front as there are some bid tough D men in league
Bottom line is we have a new look forward style of play based more on speed and skill. However IMO we do need more physicality up front as there are some bid tough D men in league
We should run a sweepstake as to how many games into the season it takes before the Inferno goes into meltdown amid claims we aren't tough enough!
There's no question that we have lost quite a bit of physicality, and have replaced it with an excess of scoring ability. Sheffield had no real toughness last season but still won the league. We arguably played our best hockey of the season when we replaced Mychan with Markku despite the loss in physicality.
We have to remember though that last year's team was built with our small rink in mind and it allowed us to be physical at home. With the move to the bigger pad this coming season it's not really a surprise we have gone for more of a mix with faster, smaller players like Doucet, Kurka and Hervato.
There's no question that we have lost quite a bit of physicality, and have replaced it with an excess of scoring ability. Sheffield had no real toughness last season but still won the league. We arguably played our best hockey of the season when we replaced Mychan with Markku despite the loss in physicality.
We have to remember though that last year's team was built with our small rink in mind and it allowed us to be physical at home. With the move to the bigger pad this coming season it's not really a surprise we have gone for more of a mix with faster, smaller players like Doucet, Kurka and Hervato.
Am I missing something. Myers was the second line centre last year and he has been released for Kurka our previous first line centre. I'll take that trade up any day. Kurka with Doucet and Salters is an evil line to play against. It has everything.
Now Hervato has replaced Tathinen and between him and Culli will cover spare duties I guess. A 16 goal scorer as your spare import though. What's to cry about. I don't get it. That line up is stacked. Insanely. Walton I think 5th or 6th league points scorer is on the third line. That's a lot of firepower by any standard.
If Hotham is back then yes there is pressure on the D to get the job done on the goals against but give me this sort of run and gun team to watch any day.
Now Hervato has replaced Tathinen and between him and Culli will cover spare duties I guess. A 16 goal scorer as your spare import though. What's to cry about. I don't get it. That line up is stacked. Insanely. Walton I think 5th or 6th league points scorer is on the third line. That's a lot of firepower by any standard.
If Hotham is back then yes there is pressure on the D to get the job done on the goals against but give me this sort of run and gun team to watch any day.
I think there were enough injuries last year to justify a spare but I hope Lordo uses them genuinely to get guys out of the line up quickly not as a last resort.
Todd has had some success with a spare in Belfast so of all the GM's in the league I'm not shocked he's backed a spare. I believe Culli may be studying here as well if he returns. He is very much in the Devils long term plans as far as I knew last.
Todd has had some success with a spare in Belfast so of all the GM's in the league I'm not shocked he's backed a spare. I believe Culli may be studying here as well if he returns. He is very much in the Devils long term plans as far as I knew last.
My bad, Salters I meant. Autocorrect trying to be smart... I'm surprised people are thinking of Culligan just as a spare... He was one of my favourite players to watch last season - he never gives up on the puck, covered on D for a long time and scored some memorable goals (THAT goal at home against Giants, CC final GWG..)
I really liked Culli, and would have had him back straight away, but I think the last two signings make it less likely he'll resign. I think we'll need that (slightly mythical) NHL enforcer. They wouldn't be a spare then, but rather an alternate on each line. If you take Kurka, Mo and Walton out of their respective, predicted lines and swap in Mr Tough then each of those lines is transformed. They become hard, confrontational lines which can turn a game if we are being bullied. I don't think Culli will add this dimension to the team.
Which means he will undoubtedly sign next week
Which means he will undoubtedly sign next week