Ben O’Connor released

[jimmy snels]

Given the speed and quality of the notice, this is a personal issue rather than an on ice one. It does give us some options on what we do with the replacement. Do we get a decent centre or D given Lou will be back in a couple of weeks

Id go forward personally. Lou batch on D have arguably been our best pair. No worries there.

 

[Mazzoak]

As conspiracy theories go this one is definitely right up there, it really wouldn't surprise me if he ends up in orange on Saturday with how this season has gone so far lol.

A few salty Steelers fans warned he was a changing room rat, the ego far outweighed the skills, which led to some pretty poor colleague relations. Might explain the sudden career change with little comment.

 

[Gdraft]

Steelers had the best of BOC. Devils had the worst of him. A strange signing in the first place. A defensive liability I hate to say and makes it even more important that British players who are signed are performing well. Even Steelers fans had fallen out of love with his contribution.

Now, if we want a player who earns his keep..... when Panthers' Covid restrictions are over, Todd could play a blinder and bring Matthew Myers home where he belongs, at Cardiff Devils. A classy veteran who still 'has it' and knows how to boss the show. Oh, and make him Captain too.

I agree with this. I like Richie a lot but I think Myers would be a more impactful captain.

 

[Gavevs88]

I wasn't expecting the stats that I saw when you said this.. that would be one hell of a pick up.

Dupont had good stats though

 

[Temme]

Dupont had good stats though

82 games 66 points across 2 Denmark seasons is 'ok' - definitely not top line #1 center EIHL center stats though.

 

[Devil14]

Dupont had good stats though

I understand that stats can be misleading but they are on completely different playing fields. 265 more NHL games (drafted 15th overall) as well as 119 KHL games, averaging almost a point a game in the AHL and 4 years younger. Peter would be a very welcomed addition but think his CV will see him play in a higher league.

 

[august04 2.0]

I can’t see us bringing anyone in now, not with the uncertainty surrounding the new variant and how that might impact the rest of the season. We'll probably just keep McNulty around. Not expecting any more additions, sadly.

 

[Angusdevil7]

Until the puck drops tomorrow and he's not there I've just got the feeling at some point before the game we'll get a "Welcome back to Sheffield Ben O'Connor, first game is against former club the Cardiff Devils", maybe because of who it is most of us have this thought in our mind . It just feels like its going to happen, and he'll probably bloody score.

 

[Swarley]

Until the puck drops tomorrow and he's not there I've just got the feeling at some point before the game we'll get a "Welcome back to Sheffield Ben O'Connor, first game is against former club the Cardiff Devils", maybe because of who it is most of us have this thought in our mind . It just feels like its going to happen, and he'll probably bloody score.

If O'connor turns up today in an orange Jersey I hope one of ours absolutely pastes him to the point he's too afraid to step back onto the ice.

 

[BostonBart22]

I agree with this. I like Richie a lot but I think Myers would be a more impactful captain.

Myers wont be back...

 

[Paul Sullivan]

OT. Each to their own and I am a Myers fan, but not only am I personally very happy with our C I think it is both naive and disrespectful to say he could be drag and dropped out of the leadership role on the team. You can give all the speeches you like for example but it doesn't make you Mark Messier. Just Ask Danny Meyers. We call him the perfect human for a reason.

 

[moggy#9]

82 games 66 points across 2 Denmark seasons is 'ok' - definitely not top line #1 center EIHL center stats though.

I'm always somewhat suspicious of stats from the likes of the Danish and French leagues. From what I've seen off teams from those leagues they're not quite as good as our league. When taking about a player's CV, their past record is no indicator of future performance, particularly if they're on the down slope of their career.

 

[Hedd Wyn John]

82 games 66 points across 2 Denmark seasons is 'ok' - definitely not top line #1 center EIHL center stats though.

that begs the question why the Devils picked him up as Martin replacement.

 

[Hedd Wyn John]

I'm always somewhat suspicious of stats from the likes of the Danish and French leagues. From what I've seen off teams from those leagues they're not quite as good as our league. When taking about a player's CV, their past record is no indicator of future performance, particularly if they're on the down slope of their career.

We definitely recruited a number of players on past CVs this year unfortunately most of them appear to be well on a downward slope.

 

[tim78]

With the Covid issues surely it's more sense to have a competative team and not blow too much on a championship team that may not finish the season. I think if the League can get to the end of Jan then maybe a new signing for injury cover.

I think Craig Moore would be better than Myers at this point.,

 

[Earnie]

Why would Matt Myers want to play for Cardiff after they abandoned him? No chance.
i know he has a business here but that is taken care of.

 

[moggy#9]

Why would Matt Myers want to play for Cardiff after they abandoned him? No chance.
i know he has a business here but that is taken care of.

I've said it before, never go back. Other than players who left when they were young, I can only think of one case where it's worked. That was Steve Moria, who returned to a much different team and league.

 

[Hedd Wyn John]

I've said it before, never go back. Other than players who left when they were young, I can only think of one case where it's worked. That was Steve Moria, who returned to a much different team and league.

Myers would be a good fit for the Devils right now. I wouldn't blame him for not coming back.

 

[Wannabe2]

We have gone from a Ben O’Connor thread to a Matt and Ritchie thread, Now that’s a negative to two positives and that’s good, but it’s a weird switch.

 

[moggy#9]

Even if Matt Myers wanted to come back, which I seriously doubt, it's a short term solution (which I know it's arguably what's necessary), but if this season is a loss, we need to be putting pieces in place to rebuild. At the moment, if we want a British replacement, I'd favour bringing harewood in full time.