But why is it that some fans are never happy unless a player has anything less than substantial NHL or AHL experience? :x
For instance, some Panthers fans seem to be forgetting that it's all about how that player works with the rest of the team that impacts on performance, and not neccessarily the fact that the player might have been a 'big gun' in North America a few year's ago.
Most imports have played in leagues of a higher standard than British ice hockey. Ironically, Marty Gascon for the Panthers, a player with no NHL/AHL experience and a virtual unknown to the UK, performed almost as well points-wise as Cameron Mann and Jay Henderson.
Granted Henderson joined half way through the season, but Gascon didn't play every game either being left out a few times by Uncle Corey! There are plenty of other examples too of outstanding players in without NHL/AHL experience but are gritty, fast and hungry to perform.