dp
Jim Keyes
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Post by dp on Jul 12, 2017 19:46:57 GMT
I'm loving the look of this roster but I was most excited before the 02/03 season, in fact, by a country mile! With new signings like Jim Paek, Lee Jinman, Dody Wood and Eric Charron, nicking Scotty Allison from up the road and retaining absolute entertainers Greg Hadden and Barry Nieckar I could barely contain myself. The only downsides of the summer were PC Drouin and Clayton Norris not returning. Same here! The roster that season just kept getting better and better with every signing they made. You thought we've already got an amazing squad...and then we sign Dody Wood...and then Scott Allison. Entertainment-wise that season still sets the bar - despite there being only 5 teams by the end and our general performances being patchy (although in a very high quality league). Obviously there was incredible toughness in that team, but the skills of people like Jinman and Purves (I was actually at London Docklands for the Purves coast to coast) were unbelievable . Anyway, back to this season - I'm amazed people are believing all the usual Panthers PR! These youngsters we're signing are apparently all still hoping to play in the NHL and AHL are they Corey? Well the obvious way to realise that dream is to come to what's considered a beer league (for the few who have even heard of it). Yes we've had a couple getting AHL contracts after being here (Lepine and Mosey for example), but there are far more players who make the AHL after being called up from he ECHL! Fair enough, tell us they have aspirations to play in the DEL and are using us as a stepping stone, but please don't pretend we're now a natural springboard to the NHL! A couple of players aside, the roster this season just looks cheap. Yes, some people may find all the unknown quantities and youngsters exciting, which it is to an extent, but they're mainly bottom half of the Elite league level signings. Most of them are the type of resumes Fife and Coventry would be signing. And those teams just don't win the league - in fact, they don't even get close. Also, youngsters being "hungry" is a complete myth anyway. It's usually the youngsters who come to Nottingham for the nightlife and bunnies with the hockey as an afterthought. Compare that to the older players who come over with wife and families.... The roster this season, whilst Corey may still work miracles with it, is a cost-cutting exercise. The teams with better resumes win the Elite league - it's always been that way. I'll very happily eat my hat if I'm proved wrong in March - but history would suggest if it does happen it's a massive anomaly.
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dp
Jim Keyes
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Post by dp on Jul 8, 2017 13:22:26 GMT
A classic Panthers/GM signing. His speed is incredible and can change a game, but the first line, top quality, 30 goal scorer/top assists man we needed he is not. Would've been the perfect signing if we didn't already have Lindhagen but his signing doesn't change the fact we're yet again short of goals in the forwards (and short of toughness).
Fan's favourite becomes available, GM is not going to pass that up regardless of how it fits into the squad already signed though.
I've not seen him play since he's been in the AHL, but he didn't have the quality needed for a first liner (or second really) last time he was here. Hope he's improved.
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dp
Jim Keyes
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Post by dp on Jul 4, 2017 12:49:03 GMT
Looks a decent signing. Not an out and out goon, looks like he wins just about every fight he has and definitely has a nasty streak - so just about perfect in that respect.
And I much prefer a younger guy as the main tough guy - more to prove.
The only question is how much he can play. Reports sound OK but it also sounds like he only got AHL calls as a tough guy, which implies his level of play isn't up to that standard, so we'll have to see how he settles in playing what is probably going to be a key role on d.
Over all though, looks pretty promising.
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dp
Jim Keyes
Posts: 966
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Post by dp on Jun 30, 2017 18:49:11 GMT
I never thought Cook was that good! Amazing pace and worked hard, but not grade A talent. I remember how frustrated Jade used to get with him when he'd just keep missing sitter after sitter that he'd laid on a plate for him.
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dp
Jim Keyes
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Post by dp on Jun 29, 2017 20:07:09 GMT
The line up so far looks seriously weak. Even if we sign absolute crackers for the last 4 forwards, we still look massively short on goals. If we line up as FTM's suggestion, we're pretty much playing one line hockey, with 3 holding lines who we're expecting to chip in occasionally. With the D we've signed so far which doesn't look very good at all, we'd need to be scoring loads of goals to stand a chance, and at the moment there are nowhere near enough goals in the team. As well as no toughness.
The team looks worse than last season, which was worse than the season before...and that wasn't very good either.
There's only Garnett so far you'd say wasn't a Fife/Caps/Dundee/Storm level signing.
I've no idea what's going on behind the scenes at Panthers - but this is exactly why I don't get a season ticket anymore.
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dp
Jim Keyes
Posts: 966
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Post by dp on Jun 29, 2017 14:26:46 GMT
Lets wait and see. Think people are far too willing to jump on to Elite Prospects and make quick decisions. Stats don't even tell half the story. Eg: Farmer - hasn't had a 40 point season since 2013. Hardly anything to shout about in the stats figures, but think most would agree he is a good player and someone we really value having on the team. For Brisebois - we've never seen the bloke play, and I doubt many had even heard of him 2 hours ago. Funny how we have so many keyboard warriors-cum-scouts whenever we annouce a new signing. While we like to have a dig at Corey, the truth remains he knows far more about hockey than any of us, and will have seen at least some video of Breezy (yeh im pioneering that spelling of it). Stop moaning and lets get behind this team! I think the problem is that Corey has shown over the years that he probably doesn't actually know any more than we do. In fact, usually the fans can see the problems long before he does... And regardless of whether some of these "wait and see" signings turn out OK, one thing is clear and that's that so far the record season ticket money they're so keen to tell us about is only going on lining Black's pockets. No one so far is expensive.
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dp
Jim Keyes
Posts: 966
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Post by dp on Jun 29, 2017 13:13:09 GMT
Ouch at the +\- stats. But since when has that ever bothered Corey? Another "project" for him no doubt.
Where's the big, nasty d man?
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dp
Jim Keyes
Posts: 966
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Post by dp on Jun 15, 2017 19:39:43 GMT
I have to say, the lines people are suggesting so far look short on goals and short on toughness. Even if we spend big on our top line, you can't win the league with one line these days - the opposition just shut it down. So we're in a situation where we either can't sign a tough guy (I'm not a fan of our main tough guy being a d man - and I seem to remember Corey saying that in the past too - obviously that was in one of the seasons where he thought tough guys were worth having, before flipping back to not needing one the season afterwards), or we sign one and end up similar to last season with having to try and play a grinding game due to lack of flair and goal scorers. That is of course unless we're signing spares, which we might be (fingers crossed). And given what we've signed so far, it's absolutely vital that Clarke plays a full season. Him playing a full season and getting 30 goals compared to him playing part and getting 15 makes a huge difference. I can't see us signing spare imports from the beginning of the season, Tetlow and Kelsall will fill in when required I believe. In regards to you saying that you don't like the lines suggested so far how do you think it will be set up then, because we have 8 forwards signed out of 12 and there aren't many other options other than what's been suggested? Sorry, I wasn't saying I think there are better ways to set them up - I was saying that I think the suggestions are probably about right, but it means the players we've signed makes us short of firepower and toughness - whichever way you shuffle them.
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dp
Jim Keyes
Posts: 966
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Post by dp on Jun 15, 2017 18:54:19 GMT
I have to say, the lines people are suggesting so far look short on goals and short on toughness. Even if we spend big on our top line, you can't win the league with one line these days - the opposition just shut it down.
So we're in a situation where we either can't sign a tough guy (I'm not a fan of our main tough guy being a d man - and I seem to remember Corey saying that in the past too - obviously that was in one of the seasons where he thought tough guys were worth having, before flipping back to not needing one the season afterwards), or we sign one and end up similar to last season with having to try and play a grinding game due to lack of flair and goal scorers.
That is of course unless we're signing spares, which we might be (fingers crossed).
And given what we've signed so far, it's absolutely vital that Clarke plays a full season. Him playing a full season and getting 30 goals compared to him playing part and getting 15 makes a huge difference.
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dp
Jim Keyes
Posts: 966
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Post by dp on Jun 14, 2017 20:38:40 GMT
I think the quality of this signing depends what he's been brought in to do. If he's a top 6 forward then he's probably not going to win us the league. The 0.7-region PPG, young, ECHL players tend to be the type that the lower end teams sign - and some turn out really good....but it's a gamble.
But I can see him doing really well on a third line with Farmer and Brown - sounds like just the sort who would bring the best out of Farmer and create a line which is horrible to play against - and would also bring the points scoring side of Farmer's game out.
As far as I can see, Panthers haven't signed any of the top forwards or top D yet so it's difficult to judge this signing.
What worries me is Corey talking about not needing an enforcer - and I hope he's not expecting this chap to stand up to Fitzgerald etc because he's nowhere near tough enough. He's definitely not a Salters-type. When you look at Salters stats in NA and compare them, it needs to be remembered he played most of his career as an enforcer - which I seem to remember is why he moved over to Europe, so he could get more ice time.
On another note, I'm just so bored of Corey's pre-season waffle. He just alternates between, "we don't need a tough guy, the league has moved on", to "I want a team with more quality and more experience" to "I need a younger and hungrier team" to "I want some grade A tough guys to keep the opposition honest". I seriously think he's just winding the fans up - either that or he's just so bored with it all he can't be bothered to think of anything to say.
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dp
Jim Keyes
Posts: 966
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Post by dp on Jun 10, 2017 18:45:34 GMT
I got the impression McGrattan thought it was all a bit beneath him.
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dp
Jim Keyes
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Post by dp on Jun 9, 2017 16:28:15 GMT
Much as I liked Cam, and could understand why they signed McGrattan to replace him, I hope this is now the end of the expensive ex-NHL enforcer/ticket seller signing. I think there's even a debate to be had about the need for an enforcer at all, tbh. Best of luck to Big Ern for the future of course. we need an enforcer for sure. To not have one would be dumb in my opinion. A Leigh Salters type is what we should be looking for, can play and put up points but also drop them when needed. McGrattan WAS a Salters type. Except tougher and a better player. Even shared Salters penchant for total disinterest...
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dp
Jim Keyes
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Post by dp on Jun 8, 2017 20:29:43 GMT
Think at the minute we've got what looks like solid players for the lower lines and a very good base. certainly a better start point from last season, but we need the match winners now. Top line guys who have been there and done it. Garnett aside they're all wait and see players although they all look like they've got some thing going for them we now need players who at one glance you know will win us games and championships Exactly. I don't feel any reason for excitement so far. Garnett aside, we look to be downgrading from last season. And I certainly never put any weight on Corey's words or previous coach's words from they've signed them - tell me where in sports history a coach has ever signed a player and said they don't think they've very good. I say this every single season, but the teams who win the Elite League are the ones who sign players with good AHL/DEL/NHL careers. The reason Fife, Caps, Stars etc don't win the league is because they sign players with a couple of seasons of ECHL and CIS. Let's face it, he's played two full seasons in the East Coast - if he was that good, he'd have been called up to the AHL. I just really hope we're keeping our powder dry and holding back the cash for some MAJOR signings. It's too early to start getting depressed yet, but things need to start picking up with the remaining imports. It's nothing against this guy, but if you could win the league with players of this calibre, then the league would be completely unpredictable...and it isn't. If you ignore the Panthers spin and look at Brampton's stats from last season, Billington doesn't look good in the +/- and isn't one of the players you'd want to sign from that team.
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dp
Jim Keyes
Posts: 966
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Post by dp on Jun 8, 2017 11:10:38 GMT
When are they going to start spending this "record season ticket sales" money?
Looks a Caps/Fife level signing.
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dp
Jim Keyes
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Post by dp on Jun 6, 2017 16:55:53 GMT
Sheffield do look weaker than last season actually. But I still don't remember anybody winning the Elite league with 22 year old Russian prospects taking up valuable import slots....
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dp
Jim Keyes
Posts: 966
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Post by dp on Jun 6, 2017 16:41:39 GMT
Strange signing. Obviously people trying to see the positives but this signing isn't one I could see Sheffield, Belfast or Cardiff making. He may turn out to be decent, but with our resources we just don't need to gamble (/penny pinch?) like this. If we want a 4th line role player, go and sign one who's been doing it in the AHL...
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dp
Jim Keyes
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Post by dp on May 31, 2017 11:26:22 GMT
Very impressive pedigree but seems bizarre to sign someone who will turn 35 a couple of months into the season and doesn't look to have played a full season in years. Particularly after what Black, Corey etc said - and when they ditched Wiikman despite Corey calling him the best in the league.
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dp
Jim Keyes
Posts: 966
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Post by dp on May 27, 2017 20:53:24 GMT
As many faults I think CN has, he's 10x the coach Finnerty is.
Storm have just resigned themselves to not winning anything - that's the only guarantee you get with Finnerty. Awful coach.
It's funny how all the Steelers officials (I.e Simms) are saying what a great appointment it is for Storm...yet they sacked him for being useless....
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dp
Jim Keyes
Posts: 966
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Post by dp on May 3, 2017 20:42:21 GMT
Not being funny, but any chance we can keep this thread to actual rumours? There's a separate thread for speculative "what about this guy?" posts.
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dp
Jim Keyes
Posts: 966
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Post by dp on Apr 28, 2017 18:43:48 GMT
The LATEST thing to annoy me about all this is the PR coming out of FIfe and Dundee. They've thrown their toys out the pram to bully the rest of the league to get their way. They've got their way. And now they're being all mysterious saying "we'll have a meeting and announce what we're doing next season in due course".
You've got everything you wanted, and pretty much ruined UK hockey for your own selfish gains in the process. And you're still not happy!??!?!
The league should've just chucked them. I'd much rather a high quality league of 8 teams than a watered down version with 12. It's supposed to be the ELITE league....
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dp
Jim Keyes
Posts: 966
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Post by dp on Apr 27, 2017 21:05:22 GMT
Another thing to bear in mind....assuming the Scottish clubs would travel there and back in a day whoever they're playing away (which I think they nearly always do)...
They have to hire a coach regardless of which team they're playing - so that cost doesn't change regardless of whether FIfe are playing Braehead or Panthers.
And then if FIfe play Steelers rather than Braehead, it's 250 miles each way rather than 70 - so an extra 360 miles or so. Assuming about 40p a mile for coach fuel, that's only another £150 or so. Which is covered by, what, 8 or 9 tickets sold at their next home game??
Just crazy.
I really hope we can rely on all arena team fans to boycott the Scottish road trips in protest.
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dp
Jim Keyes
Posts: 966
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Post by dp on Apr 27, 2017 20:38:01 GMT
Britain is tiny. The only reason not to have a 12 team 1 league is greed. The league don't give a poo poo about the fans. This is a massive point. I remember reading a NA Panthers player saying how crazy it was in the UK how close all the teams were. He was saying that playing Belfast is considered a massive road trip over here, but in NA terms it's so close it'd be considered a local derby. I've not checked the stats, but I find it hard to believe that Caps and Dundee don't get more fans in for a Sunday night game against the Panthers who are on the 3rd night of a Scottish triple header than they do against each other or Fife.
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dp
Jim Keyes
Posts: 966
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Post by dp on Apr 27, 2017 19:59:17 GMT
One thing that really annoys me about all this is that there seems to be this massive push in British hockey for all teams to be equal, and to make it all "fair".
Well, as a Forest fan, I wish they'd put us in a little local league with County, Mansfield, Burton and Ilkeston, and the points we win count towards the Premier League title. Meanwhile, we could have a London league of Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs, West Ham and Palace. And a North West league of Man U, Man City, Liverpool and Everton.
And if they don't let us then we'll refuse to play. Oh, and we also want the teams in the London and North West leagues to reduce the amount they spend on players to a level we can afford.
That'd all be nice and "fair" wouldn't it?
I imagine the Elite League board are those people who stopped there being winners and losers at kids' sports day.
I'm afraid in sports some teams win and other teams lose. Some teams have more fans, and therefore more money, other teams have less.
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dp
Jim Keyes
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Post by dp on Apr 27, 2017 18:58:56 GMT
Looking at the article on the website it's a MINIMUM of 10 games against the Steelers then! What a joke.
Completely goes against everything they've been telling us. Not only did they completely back down to the Scottish clubs, they also couldn't resist putting Steelers and Panthers in the same CC group.
And what makes it even more cringeworthy is that after all the stuff from Black about "we realise we're playing Steelers too much - that won't happen again" and that it'll be 2 groups of 6, "no question" because 3 groups of 4 just doesn't work, all the PR comes out saying what an "exciting" new format it is! Who could possibly describe this as exciting? Even the 3 teams ASKING for this never even dared to suggest it was because it made it "exciting" - it was always positioned as being all about making money.
But yeah, the league is now completely meaningless.
The conferences were always meaningless, and are now even more meaningless.
The play offs will be meaningless, because it'll only be 4 games, and the qualification criteria will be such that even qualifying for it will also be meaningless.
So the CC is the only thing to play for really.
So it's one cup to play for, and then a season of, effectively, friendlies/exhibition games.
The Elite League never fails to amaze with how badly it's run - and this is probably their "best" ever!
I really hope fans stop going.
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dp
Jim Keyes
Posts: 966
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Post by dp on Apr 19, 2017 14:06:12 GMT
For me 23 is too young. The youngest wants to be around 25. If they are 23 the odds are they haven't been good enough anywhere and ended up in the UK. You don't get many out of all the hundreds of players who come here go on to do really well in far better leagues.. Jon Landry, Lepine and Bakala excepted . Aim for 28/29 year olds who have had a good few years in decent leagues Completely agree. I can't remember a team ever succeeding in this league, or any league in any sport actually, with a team of youngsters (even the "you won't win anything with kids" Man United team had its fair share of wiser heads in it). For a start, saying "we want a young team" is a ridiculous way of approaching it - and Corey's done exactly that before (almost word for word) and it went spectacularly wrong. When that went wrong, he then came out saying he wanted a team with higher calibre, more experienced players - which went wrong too, so he then wanted a "younger, hungrier team"..... This whole club is just bizarre. It's got nothing to do with how old they are, it's to do with how good they are. And year after year it's proven that the team with the best (usually perceived to be the most expensive) players AND THE RIGHT BALANCE win the league (notwithstanding some luck with injuries etc). How many of us looked at Cardiff's squad in August last year and put them down to win it? I know I did. I thought it'd be between them, Steelers and Belfast. Lo and behold, it was. Get the balance right, and recruit players with the right work ethic, and you don't need to worry about age quotas or anything ridiculous like that.
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